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The Groin Vault

From this basic principle many other forms of vaulting were developed, such as the groin vault, which is created by two intersecting barrel vaults. It formed a large covered area supported on the four corners only. This unit could be repeated to cover larger areas, and light could enter from all four sides.

below diagram of a groin vault showing weight thrust

below groin vaults in an aisle of St. Sernin at Toulouse, France (11th - 12th centuries)

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