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catenary arch construction hints needed

updated sat 19 apr 03

 

Steven D. Lee on wed 16 apr 03


I was wondering if anyone knows the approximate layout of Arch No. 1,
Arch No 2. and straight bricks needed to create a catenary arch
between 3 and 4 foot high. If I could have this then I coudl
estimate the brick needed and more importantly the cost for K-26
brick.

Thanks in advance for your help.

***************************************************
Steven D. Lee
SD Pottery - The Little Texas Potter
http:\\www.sdpottery.com
millenial_age@yahoo.com
14341 FM 112
Thrall, TX 76578
512-898-5195
***************************************************

Marcia Selsor on wed 16 apr 03


The easiest way to figure this is:
1. get a small linked chain and tack it onto a board in the closest
dimension of the height and wideth of your future catenary arch.
(upside down so that it forms the natural curve.)
2. Spray paint the outline.
3. connect the "dots"
4. Get some paper and cut out many silhouettes the dimensions of #1
arch, #2 arch and straight bricks and start laying them out around the
curve. This should give you a very close estimate.

When you are ready to start constructing, lay out the chain the same way
on 3 5/8" pieces of pylwood to build your support. Remeber the wideth of
you lath or masonite around the curve so you don't change the size for
the bricks to fit. Also be sure to place the form on shims and cut
circles in the faces of the form so you can reach in to knock the shims
out. Onmce the shims go, the form will drop and your arch will be left
standing. Very cool!
Best wishes,
marcia


Steven D. Lee wrote:
> I was wondering if anyone knows the approximate layout of Arch No. 1,
> Arch No 2. and straight bricks needed to create a catenary arch
> between 3 and 4 foot high. If I could have this then I coudl
> estimate the brick needed and more importantly the cost for K-26
> brick.
>
> Thanks in advance for your help.
>
> ***************************************************
> Steven D. Lee
> SD Pottery - The Little Texas Potter
> http:\\www.sdpottery.com
> millenial_age@yahoo.com
> 14341 FM 112
> Thrall, TX 76578
> 512-898-5195
> ***************************************************
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>


--
Tuscany in 2003
http://home.attbi.com/~m.selsor/Tuscany2003.html

John Rodgers on thu 17 apr 03


Marcia, is any cement used in this construction to hold the bricks in
place or are they simply stacked?

John Rodgers
Birmingham, AL

Marcia Selsor wrote:

> The easiest way to figure this is:
> 1. get a small linked chain and tack it onto a board in the closest
> dimension of the height and wideth of your future catenary arch.
> (upside down so that it forms the natural curve.)
> 2. Spray paint the outline.
> 3. connect the "dots"
> 4. Get some paper and cut out many silhouettes the dimensions of #1
> arch, #2 arch and straight bricks and start laying them out around the
> curve. This should give you a very close estimate.
>
> When you are ready to start constructing, lay out the chain the same way
> on 3 5/8" pieces of pylwood to build your support. Remeber the wideth of
> you lath or masonite around the curve so you don't change the size for
> the bricks to fit. Also be sure to place the form on shims and cut
> circles in the faces of the form so you can reach in to knock the shims
> out. Onmce the shims go, the form will drop and your arch will be left
> standing. Very cool!
> Best wishes,
> marcia
>
>
> Steven D. Lee wrote:
>
>> I was wondering if anyone knows the approximate layout of Arch No. 1,
>> Arch No 2. and straight bricks needed to create a catenary arch
>> between 3 and 4 foot high. If I could have this then I coudl
>> estimate the brick needed and more importantly the cost for K-26
>> brick.
>>
>> Thanks in advance for your help.
>>
>> ***************************************************
>> Steven D. Lee
>> SD Pottery - The Little Texas Potter
>> http:\\www.sdpottery.com
>> millenial_age@yahoo.com
>> 14341 FM 112
>> Thrall, TX 76578
>> 512-898-5195
>> ***************************************************
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________________________
>>
>> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>
>> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>
>> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>> melpots@pclink.com.
>>
>
>
> --
> Tuscany in 2003
> http://home.attbi.com/~m.selsor/Tuscany2003.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
>
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>

Marcia Selsor on thu 17 apr 03


I have built cats using stoneware clay between bricks as someone
mentioned. Yopu can use a slurry of fire clay if you want. But that is
all I have ever used for kiln building and I only use that on arches. I
usually just stack 'em.
Marcia

John Rodgers wrote:
> Marcia, is any cement used in this construction to hold the bricks in
> place or are they simply stacked?
>
> John Rodgers
> Birmingham, AL
>
> Marcia Selsor wrote:
>
>> The easiest way to figure this is:
>> 1. get a small linked chain and tack it onto a board in the closest
>> dimension of the height and wideth of your future catenary arch.
>> (upside down so that it forms the natural curve.)
>> 2. Spray paint the outline.
>> 3. connect the "dots"
>> 4. Get some paper and cut out many silhouettes the dimensions of #1
>> arch, #2 arch and straight bricks and start laying them out around the
>> curve. This should give you a very close estimate.
>>
>> When you are ready to start constructing, lay out the chain the same way
>> on 3 5/8" pieces of pylwood to build your support. Remeber the wideth of
>> you lath or masonite around the curve so you don't change the size for
>> the bricks to fit. Also be sure to place the form on shims and cut
>> circles in the faces of the form so you can reach in to knock the shims
>> out. Onmce the shims go, the form will drop and your arch will be left
>> standing. Very cool!
>> Best wishes,
>> marcia
>>
>>
>> Steven D. Lee wrote:
>>
>>> I was wondering if anyone knows the approximate layout of Arch No. 1,
>>> Arch No 2. and straight bricks needed to create a catenary arch
>>> between 3 and 4 foot high. If I could have this then I coudl
>>> estimate the brick needed and more importantly the cost for K-26
>>> brick.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for your help.
>>>
>>> ***************************************************
>>> Steven D. Lee
>>> SD Pottery - The Little Texas Potter
>>> http:\\www.sdpottery.com
>>> millenial_age@yahoo.com
>>> 14341 FM 112
>>> Thrall, TX 76578
>>> 512-898-5195
>>> ***************************************************
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>>
>>> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>>> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>>
>>> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>>> melpots@pclink.com.
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Tuscany in 2003
>> http://home.attbi.com/~m.selsor/Tuscany2003.html
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________________________
>>
>> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>
>> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>
>> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>> melpots@pclink.com.
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>


--
Tuscany in 2003
http://home.attbi.com/~m.selsor/Tuscany2003.html

Marcia Selsor on thu 17 apr 03


I have built cats using stoneware clay between bricks as someone
mentioned. You can use a slurry of fire clay if you want. But that is
all I have ever used for kiln building and I only use that on arches. I
usually just stack 'em.It is easier to rebuild the next one if you do that.
Marcia

John Rodgers wrote:
Marcia, is any cement used in this construction to hold the bricks in
place or are they simply stacked?


John Rodgers wrote:
> Marcia, is any cement used in this construction to hold the bricks in
> place or are they simply stacked?
>
> John Rodgers
> Birmingham, AL
>
> Marcia Selsor wrote:
>
>> The easiest way to figure this is:
>> 1. get a small linked chain and tack it onto a board in the closest
>> dimension of the height and wideth of your future catenary arch.
>> (upside down so that it forms the natural curve.)
>> 2. Spray paint the outline.
>> 3. connect the "dots"
>> 4. Get some paper and cut out many silhouettes the dimensions of #1
>> arch, #2 arch and straight bricks and start laying them out around the
>> curve. This should give you a very close estimate.
>>
>> When you are ready to start constructing, lay out the chain the same way
>> on 3 5/8" pieces of pylwood to build your support. Remeber the wideth of
>> you lath or masonite around the curve so you don't change the size for
>> the bricks to fit. Also be sure to place the form on shims and cut
>> circles in the faces of the form so you can reach in to knock the shims
>> out. Onmce the shims go, the form will drop and your arch will be left
>> standing. Very cool!
>> Best wishes,
>> marcia
>>
>>
>> Steven D. Lee wrote:
>>
>>> I was wondering if anyone knows the approximate layout of Arch No. 1,
>>> Arch No 2. and straight bricks needed to create a catenary arch
>>> between 3 and 4 foot high. If I could have this then I coudl
>>> estimate the brick needed and more importantly the cost for K-26
>>> brick.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for your help.
>>>
>>> ***************************************************
>>> Steven D. Lee
>>> SD Pottery - The Little Texas Potter
>>> http:\\www.sdpottery.com
>>> millenial_age@yahoo.com
>>> 14341 FM 112
>>> Thrall, TX 76578
>>> 512-898-5195
>>> ***************************************************
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>>
>>> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>>> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>>
>>> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>>> melpots@pclink.com.
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Tuscany in 2003
>> http://home.attbi.com/~m.selsor/Tuscany2003.html
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________________________
>>
>> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>
>> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>
>> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>> melpots@pclink.com.
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>


--
Tuscany in 2003
http://home.attbi.com/~m.selsor/Tuscany2003.html

Logan Oplinger on fri 18 apr 03


On Wed, 16 Apr 2003 14:13:32 -0000, Steven D. Lee
wrote:

>I was wondering if anyone knows the approximate layout of Arch No. 1,
>Arch No 2. and straight bricks needed to create a catenary arch
>between 3 and 4 foot high. If I could have this then I coudl
>estimate the brick needed and more importantly the cost for K-26
>brick.
>
>Thanks in advance for your help.

Hello Steve,

Sorry for getting in on this topic late.

When I was designing a catenary arch kiln to build, I cut out several
cardboard templates of the different arch brick shapes, as well as the
straight brick. The templates matched the end dimensions of each shape of
brick;

Straight 4-1/2x2-1/2"

#1. Arch 4-1/2x(2-1/2, 2-1/8)"

#2. Arch 4-1/2x(2-1/2, 1-3/4)"

#3. Arch 4-1/2x(2-1/2, 1)"

After tracing the catenary curve using the "hanging chain method", it was a
simple matter to lay the templates against the traced curve to get the best
fit. The quantity of brick for each shape is the quantity of each template
multiplied by the quantity of brick in the length of each course (a kiln
36" deep with 4-1/2" thick walls will have 5 brick in each coarse, and 9"
thick walls will have 6 brick in each coarse). To allow for breakage and
repairs, about 10 to 15 percent more for each shape should be ordered.

I hope this is helpful.

Logan Oplinger
Another Pacific Island
13.28 N latitude, 144.45 E longitude

Marcia Selsor on fri 18 apr 03


That is great info. Brick sizes are listed from retailers, but your
measurements are really helpful and should be filed. For the straight
bricks on the front and back, make sure they and sandwiched together
with angle iron frame and bolts. I use threaded ends with large washers
and car valve springs to allow breathing movement (expansion and
contraction). You can't "tie " in your front and back walls to a cat, so
I think the compression with the angle Iron running rods thru the cinder
block holes below and over the top are the way to go.
Best wishes,
Marcia

Logan Oplinger wrote:
> On Wed, 16 Apr 2003 14:13:32 -0000, Steven D. Lee
> wrote:
>
>
>>I was wondering if anyone knows the approximate layout of Arch No. 1,
>>Arch No 2. and straight bricks needed to create a catenary arch
>>between 3 and 4 foot high. If I could have this then I coudl
>>estimate the brick needed and more importantly the cost for K-26
>>brick.
>>
>>Thanks in advance for your help.
>
>
> Hello Steve,
>
> Sorry for getting in on this topic late.
>
> When I was designing a catenary arch kiln to build, I cut out several
> cardboard templates of the different arch brick shapes, as well as the
> straight brick. The templates matched the end dimensions of each shape of
> brick;
>
> Straight 4-1/2x2-1/2"
>
> #1. Arch 4-1/2x(2-1/2, 2-1/8)"
>
> #2. Arch 4-1/2x(2-1/2, 1-3/4)"
>
> #3. Arch 4-1/2x(2-1/2, 1)"
>
> After tracing the catenary curve using the "hanging chain method", it was a
> simple matter to lay the templates against the traced curve to get the best
> fit. The quantity of brick for each shape is the quantity of each template
> multiplied by the quantity of brick in the length of each course (a kiln
> 36" deep with 4-1/2" thick walls will have 5 brick in each coarse, and 9"
> thick walls will have 6 brick in each coarse). To allow for breakage and
> repairs, about 10 to 15 percent more for each shape should be ordered.
>
> I hope this is helpful.
>
> Logan Oplinger
> Another Pacific Island
> 13.28 N latitude, 144.45 E longitude
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>


--
Tuscany in 2003
http://home.attbi.com/~m.selsor/Tuscany2003.html