What is the difference between a ribbed vault and a groin vault?

Question

a.
Groin vaults are built on the sides, while rib vaults are on the ceiling.
b.
Groin vaults have more support than rib vaults.
c.
Rib vaults are groin vaults with extra stone ribbing.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

c. Rib vaults are groin vaults with extra stone ribbing.

Explanation:

• Groin Vault: This is formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults at right angles. It creates a structure that has a curved ceiling and can cover a large area.
• Rib Vault: This is a more advanced structural technique that includes ribs (protruding, often decorative arches) which support the overall vault. Rib vaults are often designed to be more complex and allow for greater flexibility in design compared to groin vaults.

Overall, rib vaults enhance the groin vault by adding supportive ribbing, making them more sophisticated in terms of architecture.