VAULTS

MEXICAN
"The structures for the way they resist the fascination of the pursuit and satis
faction of discovery." Eduardo Torroja
Photo 1. Closing vault, made by the master mason Salvador Preciado. Household, H
uahuchinango Puebla. Architect Ramon Aguirre.
MEXICAN VAULTS without centering Vaults: a system of traditional construction in
Mexico. Bring to modernity through old material like brick, which allows us to
work very flexible arches forming only subject exclusively to its own weight (fi
gure 1) is so exciting and different ways unintentionally generated harmonics, a
n infinite variety of textures and a unique spatial quality that rivals the most
advanced current technology
Photo 2. Textures. Triangle Office Design and Construction, Inc. Ramon Aguirre M
. Arch Architect Mario Vazquez
da (photo 2). It has a great advantage over other building systems such as non-u
se of formwork (shuttering) and reinforced concrete, it is quite cheap, with the
quality of our builders and self builders can do it easily and conveniently. Th
e importance of studying architecture must be understood as a response to social
needs within the ideological and cultural context of each country. Natural stru
ctures are forms derived from the intrinsic qualities of materials, and are an e
xample also of how to use those forms to meet a program (photo 3). Men impose fo
rms of materials to meet production needs and use, so the harmony between the tw
o leads us through the appropriate and rational use of materials subject to form
al architecture (Figure 4). One of the challenges of architectural practice more
difficult and important is to cover the space with simple structural techniques
, in this respect, the study of the techniques of construction of the vaults us
to assert that the Mexican vaults are one of the methods relevant to mentioned p
roblems of construction.
Photo 3. Hallway. Triangle Office Design and Construction, Inc. Ramon Aguirre M.
Arch Architect Mario Vazquez
Photo 4. Umbrella. Project Polanco Mexico City restaurant. Architect Ramon Aguir
re. Architect Mario Vazquez
Collaborated for eight years as technical director in the firm Triangle Design a
nd Construction, where I have been able to develop constructive work with this s
ystem so exciting.
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Rather than teaching I wanted to share the experience I have accumulated over th
e last eleven years of my activity as a professional, in conjunction with the co
nstruction of Mexican vaults without formwork. The brick vaults without formwork
, are covered self-supporting, non-combustible and light, able to act as a unify
ing element of the structural response in the buildings, during a seismic event,
work proportional to its weight, therefore the less weight, better seismic beha
vior . On the other hand, this construction system can also be used in floor con
structions in residential homes, social housing, offices, estacionaFoto 5. House
hold. Mexico City. Ramon Aguirre M. Arch
ments, factories, markets, clinics and churches. The self-supporting arches, giv
e us a clear indication that the use of vaulting without formwork is not only pa
rt of the vernacular architecture, but the answer to the daily needs, so you do
not understand the indiferecia and lack of use of this type of construction, to
our reality (photo 5). We live in a state of change, costomaterial-wage relation
ship has been transformed, indirect costs have grown, so the effectiveness of Me
xican vaults is increasingly important. This, as mentioned above, it is appropri
ate now in the field of self-help housing construction and thus the need for acq
uisition or improvement thereof, has exceeded the capacity of those originally p
rogrammed, since the cost of social housing, called "finished" just may be cover
ed by a portion of the population, and always at subsidized cost basis, because
this has not been able to solve the massive problem that was presented several y
ears in countries like ours in particular. Therefore, Mexican-vaulted building b
ecomes a viable alternative solution to this need. (Photo 6). Alfonso Ramírez Po
nce, who transmitted their knowledge to me unconditionally, with the sensitivity
that distinguishes him as a person of greatness, which makes it easy to difficu
lt (Figure 7), together with the architects Eduardo Torroja, Eladio Dieste,€Munc
unill Lluis López Carmona and Fernando in his study on the structural use of cla
y, show that the curved shapes, "found in nature from the womb, and the first ca
ve man who sheltered" one, can be reproduced easily ,
Photo 6. House social interest. Mexico City. Ramon Aguirre M. Arch
Photo 7. Clinical popular. Mexico City. Architect Alfonso Ramírez Ponce
1 Senosiain Javier Aguilar, Bio Architecture. In search of an area, Mexico, Edit
orial Limusa, 1998, p. 19.
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understanding its origin and finding in them the satisfaction of man's search fo
r the ways of nature. One of the methods used by Gaudi to determine the shape of
a structure without applying mathematical formulas, is to use the curve that ta
kes a string suspended from both ends, and which hang loads equivalent to those
to be borne by the arc once built, and defines how each arc, as used in The Cryp
t of the colony Well in Spain. The three-dimensional grids vaulted systems are a
mechanism and a structural support, like a suspension system invested,
Photo 8. Funicular arch
area covered by crossing two funicular arches (or overhead wires) from two axes.
The optimal design of the arch under its own weight only is the funicular curve
(line of compressions). The funicular arch is the inverse of the catenary line
(suspension) (Photo 8). The reactions shown in brackets domed grids respond to t
he efforts of the mesh suspended. That is, the efforts of the arches and the hor
izontal thrust is inversely proportional to the height of the arch (photo 9).
Photo 9. Mesh suspended. Taken from the book by Heino Engel, Structural Systems,
Spain, Editorial Gustavo Gili, 2002. p. 127
BACKGROUND In the central part of the Mexican Republic, are regions like
Photo 10. Household. Morelos Mexico. Architect Alfonso Ramírez Ponce
Hidalgo, Querétaro, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Puebla, Tlaxcala and Morelos in buildin
gs whose vaults are used clay brick, built without centering, this construction
system has been taught from generation to generation, which has allowed its tras
endencia; masons Mexicans have had the ability and sensitivity to develop altern
ative designs through a single material: brick. There are also notable instances
of the use of vaults Mexican contemporary constructions made with great skill,
an example of this are the houses built in the state of Morelos by the architect
Alfonso Ramírez Ponce who has experimented with this system managed to obtain b
uilding vaults guidelines from curves and inclinations
Photo 11. Clinic, People's Hospital. Mexico City. Architect Alfonso Ramírez Ponc
e
das, creating the paraboloids of revolution without using formwork or reinforcin
g steel (photos 10 and 11).
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Currently it has reverted to the old option left to the parties themselves much
of the effort required to build housing and within that framework have been deve
loped various forms, some very interesting, sometimes utopian, but that should k
now and "periodically reviewed to determine the space between the desirable and
achievable" 2.
OBJECTIVES The study of the construction of vaults of clay is a response to the
need to improve the quality of buildings, through this lore, which, when passed
down from generation to generation comes to us with the virtue of not pay any ro
yalty, this constructive solution allows us to reduce labor costs, plus its way
we get a better sense of space and comfort (photo 12).
Photo 12. Mezzanine household. Coyoacan, Mexico. Mason Roberto Lazaro Cruz.
MAIN MATERIAL Brick (in Mexico is known as a wedge), clay material with measures
5x10x20 inches, with a volume of 1000 cm3, a weight of 1.5 to 1.6 kg., With a r
esistance of 60-75 kg/cm2 and Cutting 4 kg., this low resistance allows it to be
cut manually by the mason, for this
Photo 13. Wedge Brick
because the brick is the best material to work on the development of Mexican vau
lts (photos 13 and 14).
ECONOMIC construction system is solved by the use of brick that serves as a guid
e for the control of the geometry of the roof, the brick is placed
Photo 14. The size of the brick, allowing easy handling. Hispanic University, Ed
o. Mexico. Mr. Fernando Ituarte Verduzco.
supporting a row over another in the girders or slotted walls.
2
Alfonso Ramírez Ponce€Inhabiting a Chimera, Mexico, UNAM, 2001, p. 27.
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The accession of the different segments (brick) using mortar mix with great powe
r and fast-setting adhesive (similar to that used for brick walls) allows placem
ent on an ongoing basis and avoids the use of formwork; for this is more economi
cal than any other system of construction (photos 15 and 16).
Photo 15. Intersection of scallops by the mason Salvador Preciado. House of soci
al interest. Architect Ramon Aguirre
The different possibilities of placement as the system allows the game drawing t
o form the bricks and the potential relief is another feature that can be exploi
ted in different ways to taste particular constructor (photo 17 and 18).
Compared with other systems CONSTTRUCTIVOS A DIRECT COSTS M2. AT 15 JULY 2004 re
inforced concrete slab 10 cm. Beams and vaults 20 CM. VAULT OF BRICK WALL
Without centering
Photo 16. Cover circular, radio center. House Room, La Candelaria Coyoacán. Arch
itect Ramon Aguirre
OF THICKNESS
Joist MATERIAL
February 1
COST
COST 68.20 77.70
COST
Mortar armed Cove
Concrete
272.27
77.40 64.39 136.06
5x10x20 Brick Wood
Photo 17. Vault. Restaurant Polanco, Mexico City. Architect Ramon Aguirre. Archi
tect Mario Vazquez.
76.30 106.38 69.84 26.30 87.07 230.60 868.16
24.47 28.80 69.84 26.30 87.07 186.00 687.0
26.10 04.12
Steel Expanded Metal Plaster Painting Waterproofing total workforce
95.36 240.00 509.29
* Note: For this comparison table we take into account in all three cases, labor
piece. It is not considered a transfer of beams out of the work. 2 It is not co
nsidered moving off-site vaults. Photo 18. Textures. Household, Tlalpan, Mexico
City. Architect Ramon Aguirre.
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DEAD AND LIVE LOADS RATED FOR THE ROOF TO THE ROOF VAULT kg/m2 kg/m2
Concrete slab h = 0.1 Filling (tezontle saturated) e = 0.25 Bricklaying, entorta
do and waterproof finish bottom and installations * RCDF TOTAL DEAD LOAD
240 155 90 50 40 575
Brick shell h = 0.1 Mesh and waterproof finish entortado and inferior facilities
RCDF TOTAL DEAD LOAD
150 96 50 40 336
* Load resistance Federal District.
The construction system is very simple and repetitive, is founded on the placeme
nt of a brick resting on another, intertwining rows one over the other arcs with
out placing formwork. As we know, a brick works in compression, therefore, almos
t entirely eliminate the steel and concrete. The natural geometry with parabolic
arches or arches allow us to develop a structure that works to form the most cr
itical part of an arch is called turning point. Working with light bricks withou
t centering arcs results in the creation of various forms, fabrics and textures.
It is a construction technique that is not taught on a professional and he has
not been given yet have structural value. Despite being a construction system us
ed for over 400 years in some regions of the central part of the Mexican Republi
c.
Map of areas of origin of the vaults
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MINIMUM CONDITIONS FOR FOUR build vaults without centering 1. Using light brick.
2. Supporting courses of brick in the previous courses (photo 19). 3. Always ar
cs. 4. Brick dry sticks (photo 20).
Photo 19. Detail inclined arch resting on the previous row. Hispanic University.
MATERIALS brick clay brick with measures 5x10x20 cm (10 inches being the thickne
ss of the dome), weighing approximately 1.5 kilograms, for its size and weight w
as easy for the construction of vaults.
Photo 20. Laying dry brick. Ernesto A. Mason
A mixture is prepared in proportions of a lump of cement (50 kg) for two sacks o
f lime (25 kg) and eight boats sifted sand (20 liters) with a yield of 4-5 m2, t
he quantity of cement can vary depending on the quality of the sand and the mixt
ure should be sticky and watery consistency, similar to that used for brick wall
s to achieve a better bond with the brick sticking dry (photo 21).
Photo 21. Proportions for mixing.
Scaffolding wooden structure is placed inside the area to be covered and on whic
h the mason work, the height of the scaffold will allow you to move freely so th
e builder will have to reach the lock edge (beginning of arch) and the maximum h
eight dome (photo 22).
Photo 22. Scaffolding within the area to cover.€Thomas Mason.
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Photo 23. Turning point.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE VAULT The vaults can be built on any surface: square, rectan
gular, polyhedra, curves, horizontal or inclined, the only requirement is to mee
t the four conditions mentioned above. To build a dome without formwork is impor
tant to know that there are compressions and tractions, the transition between t
he two is called turning point, this is located at 52 ° from the vertical axis,
to work with compressions
Photo 24. Lock "T" of reinforced concrete, to receive two vaults.
structure will be making a shape (picture 23). To have a tolerance range of resi
stance in the Mexican construction of vaults, we will work no more than 45 °, wi
thin this range can be built vaults clear 10 meters with up to 10 cm brick. thic
kness, beyond these limits the vault will be reinforced with chicken wire inch,
or in the boot of the vault (party's initial construction of the dome without ce
ntering) will change the extent of the brick 12 or 14 cm. thick.
Photo 25. Armed with skid girder.
Girders (guidelines) These are the envelopes of the vaults, there are both struc
tural steel and reinforced concrete or clay (brick walls), inclined, horizontal
curves and combined. The calculation of the edge chain depends on the size of th
e building and clear cover. It is so small thrust (OSCC) from the vaults for a 4
x4 clear occupy a lock with four rods 3 / 8 and wire quarter. The flange (base o
f dome), reinforced concrete is a minimum of 6 cm. base and 10 cm. Height (photo
s 24 to 27).
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Photo 26. Lock "L" of reinforced concrete.
VAULTS
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In steel, it is recommended that the beam "I" 8 "x4" x ¼, vaults can boot into t
he bottom flange on the basis of two inches, or half the base of 4 "if we start
in the top flange, is placed at an angle of 2 "x2" in that the hypotenuse is per
pendicular to the flange, so that the boot
Photo 27. Lock-concrete, ready to receive the vault.
the vault is on the diagonal (figure 28). If we used a beam "C" 6 "x2" x ¼, the
vault will have to boot into the bottom flange (photos 29 and 30). The arrow is
the maximum height is the vault, it is drawn by reference to the distance from t
he short side of the course to cover the vault construction specialists are call
ed bóvederos and they recommended as ideal as to the height of the vault, betwee
n 20% and 25%. The extent of the arrow is taken from the boot of the vault to th
e bed under the same, for example, in a 3 X 5 m. the arrow is 60 cm. to 70 cm (P
hoto 31).
Photo 28. Beam "I" 8 "x4" x ¼ angle and 2 "top flange.
Photo 29. Steel girder ("C" channel 4 "x2".
Photo 30. Steel girder (vigal "I" 6 "x2".
Photo 31. Height of the arrow.
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LAYOUT OF THE VAULTS without centering vaults consist of two basic elements, its
guidelines or perimeter enclosure (lock), and its generating formed by the rows
of brick, giving rise to the scallops, the latter remain constant, but the vari
ation was geometry found in the guidelines, since depending on the design of the
girders the courses will go up, go down or remain constant. This paper will men
tion only the horizontal guidelines
Photo 32. Vault stroke.
in a square area to be covered. In this case, is taken as an example a square ar
ea of 4 X 4 m. this type of vault is the simplest, is built on four lines (guide
lines) scallops into four horizontal. 1. We took half of clear guidelines in thi
s case is 2 m. per side (photo 32). 2. We connect the intersections (1, 2, 3 and
4) and get four triangles which we call conoids scallops (photo 33).
Photo 33. Generating triangles forming four conical domes (scallops).
3. Brick Placement: The first course begins by placing the brick in a corner and
cutting it in half, chamfered, or cut corners so that it is both horizontal bea
ms and with an inclination of 45 ° to stay within the efforts compression (figur
e 34). 4. In the second course supports two bricks on the first course with the
same slope, resembling a bow. 5. The third row is based on the second, with the
same slope, consisting of three blocks, with the setting with the center piece,
resembling a bow, because the brick is a polygon generated by simulating straigh
t
Photo 34.€Laying brick at 45 º.
Photo 35. Second course, cut corners.
Photo 36. Adjust the center.
Photo 37. Arco bent and supported in the former.
Photo 38. Vault thickness: 10 cm.
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arches, but in reality what shape are straight lines, and place the brick on edg
e, showing edges of 5x20 cm (Photos 36 and 38). 6. In the fourth row on, vary th
e number of pieces of brick, as this will depend on the size of the room in whic
h it is supported on the girder. ReFoto 39. Intersection of two dry scallops and
pasted.
He recalled that this piece of brick in a corner is cut horizontally at the gird
er and supported with the same tilt of the previous row and always adjusting to
the center (figure 39). 7. This method is repeated in the following courses to r
each half of the girder, placing the bricks at the ends and with the adjustment
to the center of the arch until the first pendant, this procedure is performed i
n the four corners 8. The cleaning is done during the entire process of building
the vault with a wire brush, leaving the brick bulk of the underside, with the
approach we call "build finished" (photo 40). 9. Completed the four corners, one
course is placed on each pendant in
Photo 40. Clean dome with a wire brush.
spiral until you close the vault (photos 41 and 42). 10. At the top put chicken
wire and flattened with mortar, leaving a smooth surface to receive waterproofin
g (photos 43 and 44). Note: It is recommended during the rainy season to strengt
hen the arches, over four feet clear, applying a slurry (mixture of cement and s
and) to
Photo 41. Intersection of two scallops with close spiral.
protect the brick from moisture during the construction process (picture 45).
Photo 42. Interior view of canopy closure.
Photo 43. Vault flattened to receive inpermeabilizante.
Photo 44. Proofed vault.
Photo 45. Vault with grout.
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Barrel vaults are made with the same construction process, meeting the four cond
itions required as described above. 1. Draw an arc on the walls cebeceros placin
g wires between them to
Photo 46. Start leaning and leaning on the wall.
keep generating the same throughout the dome. 2. Place the bricks on the ends al
ong the girders, adjusting to the center, with a slight inclination to the headb
oard wall (photos 46 and 47). 3. As in previous point, the placement of the bric
ks will have the same inclination to converge at the center of the dome. 4. At t
he junction of the arches, an adjustment must take place perpendicular to the tw
o arches to close the vault, while respecting their generating (photos 48 and 49
). 5. Finally, the vault is placed chicken wire and flattened with mortar, cemen
t and sand getting a smooth finish and receive the waterproofing.
Photo 47. Adjust the center
The strength of the vault lies in the consistency of the structure with its mate
rial form, its lightness makes it a useful roof, economical and beautiful, can b
e learned by builders, self builders and anyone interested, you can cover up to
10 m . of lower light without any additional reinforcement steel or reinforced c
oncrete. As we have seen the building system of brick vaults without formwork is
very simple invention that makes people think about their historical and cultur
al value so we must not let die out (photos 50 and 51). "Resist by weight is a c
lumsy accumulation of matter, there is nothing more beautiful and elegant to res
ist the way." Eladio Dieste
Photo 48. Detail barrel vault of brick row supported by the preceding.
Photo 49. Adjusting the center dome.
Photo 50. Interior dome. Maestro Ernesto.
Photo 51. Brick barrel vault 6x12x24. Household. Sto. Sunday Coyoacán.
Juanito Builders, Napoleon, Adam, Isidro, Nacho, Benito, Emiliano, and arch. Ram
on, on vault during its construction.
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MEXICAN
REFERENCES ENGEL, Heino, Structural Systems, Spain, Editorial Gustavo Gili, 2002
MOYA Blanco, Luis, vaults, Madrid, Center for General Technical Publications Mi
nisterio de Fomento, 2000 Senosiain AGUILAR, Javier, Bio Architecture. In search
of an area, Mexico, Editorial Limusa, 1998 RAMÍREZ PONCE, Alfonso, Living, a ch
imera, Mexico, UNAM-ARQ, 2001 RAMÍREZ PONCE, Alfonso, "sighs and mud vaults" in
Log, a journal of the Faculty of Architecture of the UNAM, NO. 7 May 2002, pp. T
OCA 48-51, Antonio (ed.), New Architecture in Latin America: Present and Future,
Mexico, Editorial Gustavo Gili, 1990 TONDA, Juan Antonio,€Felix Candela, Mexico
, CONACULTA, 2000 the great vaults Hispanic. Course Notes: The great vaults Hisp
anic. Madrid, 19 to 23 May 1997.The, Madrid, 1998
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