Lukebarlow29 Posted October 12 Report Share Posted October 12 Hi, im building a phoenix fast fire kiln with an arched roof to the firebox/ floor. The arch design uses straights at either edge abutting to the skews, followed by three arch bricks (2 twos and one 3) on either side and a key stone in the middle. A fellow potter cast doubt on the use of the straight bricks in the arch and suggested they should rest on a lip so they don’t drop down. Please if someone with more experience building arches could validate or revise my arch design I would greatly appreciate it! pleAse see attached pictures. many thanks, luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukebarlow29 Posted October 12 Author Report Share Posted October 12 Another picture… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted October 12 Report Share Posted October 12 Straights can definitely be used in an arch. As long as everything is lined up and mortared you shouldn't have any problems. Kelly in AK and Rae Reich 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukebarlow29 Posted October 12 Author Report Share Posted October 12 Thank you Neil!it’s got a lot of weight going on it so I hope so! luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted October 13 Report Share Posted October 13 (edited) 5 hours ago, Lukebarlow29 said: Another picture… Just an add, the arch derives its strength from the buttress. It transfers the vertical force into a combination vertical and horizontal force at the buttress. If it can’t flatten, it won’t until the material fails in compression. Well fitted, tight joints ensure even transfer of force. A sufficient buttress is key to a long working life. If the double wall does not have sufficient lateral strength then wrapping the kilns with angle generally ensures there is sufficient lateral strength. Edited October 13 by Bill Kielb iffetorbay and Rae Reich 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly in AK Posted October 13 Report Share Posted October 13 Straights mixed with arch bricks are a customary part of arch design. That’s not a problem. Good luck with the kiln! Looks like a tunnel, like a little Groundhog kiln. I’m probably misinterpreting the photos. But @Bill Kielb is spot on, there’s a lot of force pushing outwards at the base of the arch. Buttress the sides with cinder block to counteract that force. That’s why groundhogs are built half underground, earth is the buttress. Bill Kielb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukebarlow29 Posted October 13 Author Report Share Posted October 13 Thank you all for the help! im planning on wrapping her up in angle iron to provide good buttressing. I’ll send a picture of the finished kiln in a month or so! Onwards and upwards! L Hulk and Bill Kielb 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted October 13 Report Share Posted October 13 5 hours ago, Lukebarlow29 said: im planning on wrapping her up in angle iron to provide good buttressing. If you are not already planning, Just a suggestion …… add ties across the top as necessary parallel to your arches to positively retain both sides the arches are bearing upon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted October 13 Report Share Posted October 13 6 hours ago, Lukebarlow29 said: Thank you all for the help! im planning on wrapping her up in angle iron to provide good buttressing. I’ll send a picture of the finished kiln in a month or so! Onwards and upwards! L Put the angle iron up before dropping the arch form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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