corbel vault

corbel vault

A continuous corbel arch over a space, used by the ancient Mayas of Yucatan; also known as a Mayan arch.

See also: Vault

Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture Copyright © 2012, 2002, 1998 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

corbel vault, corbeled vault

A masonry roof constructed from opposite walls, or from a circular base, by shifting courses slightly and regularly inward until they meet. The resulting stepped surface can be smoothed or curved, but no arch action is incurred.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.