INTRADOS (from French intrados). - A technical term in architecture, equivalent to "soffit," denoting the inner, curved surface of arches and vaults. The classification of arches depends on the shape of the intrados curve: they are called semicircular when the curve is represented by a semicircle whose chord is the horizontal diameter passing through the springing points; segmental when the curve is not a full semicircle or is a polycentric curve with the center of the central curve segment situated below the level of the springing points; pointed when the intrados curve consists of two circular arcs forming an apex and having their centers, usually, at two-thirds of the span; stilted when the center of the curve lies above the springing lines.

The intrados curve takes on a particular form in inflexed and keeled arches, which are infrequently used in architectural practice.

Another type of intrados is the polylobed one, which characterizes Islamic architecture (e.g., the church of the Corpus Christi in Segovia and the mosque of Cordoba).

Bibliography2 works

BIBL.: G. Gelati, Nozioni pratiche ed artistiche di architettura, Turin 1899, see index; G. Giovannoni, Elementi di fabbriche, Rome 1926, see index.

Pietro Gazzola

@incollection{ec7_intradosso_dal_franc_intrados, author = {Gazzola, Pietro}, title = {Intradosso (Dal Franc. Intrados)}, booktitle = {Enciclopedia Cattolica}, volume = {VII}, pages = {115--116}, note = {Cited by column}, publisher = {Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico}, address = {Città del Vaticano}, year = {1951}, url = {https://azioneromana.com/article/intradosso-dal-franc-intrados} }

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Intrados (from French intrados)

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