Notre‑Dame Structure: Ribs, Webs, Buttresses

An engineering overview of Notre‑Dame’s structural system: rib vaults, webs, and flying buttress chains.

1/12/2026

16 min read

View of transept vaults showing ribs and webs

Notre‑Dame’s structure is distributed logic. Ribs collect loads; webs carry them; buttresses return them to ground.

📊 Elements & Effects

Element	Role	Effect
Rib	Collector	Focus thrusts at supports
Web	Membrane	Distribute between ribs
Buttress	Restraint	Counter lateral thrust

📐 Mechanics (Qualitative)

$$ ext{Rib load} ightarrow ext{pier} quad ; quad ext{web load} ightarrow ext{ribs} $$

Slenderness: Piers sized to limit buckling.
Continuity: Joints grouted to maintain paths.

Transept vaults

Structure is a chorus—each component sings a line.

About the Author

Structural Engineer

As a Paris lover and careful traveler, I created this guide to help visitors connect with Notre‑Dame’s stories — where faith, craft, and community meet.

Notre‑Dame Structure: Ribs, Webs, Buttresses

📊 Elements & Effects

📐 Mechanics (Qualitative)

About the Author

Structural Engineer

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