Relieving Arches

Htilominlo, Pagan

Above a door frame in the interior of the temple, the weight of the superstructure is visualized as a false beam (horizontal, very top of photo) and redistributed by weight-bearing arches. The arches are built with the wide side of the bricks turned outward (towards the viewer, in this photo). The arches are integrated into the wall, since their purpose is to reinforce the wall by relieving the weight above the door. With the original plaster in place, the arches would not be visible.