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Giovedì, Gennaio 1, 2026
Parvis Notre‑Dame – Place Jean‑Paul II, 75004 Parigi, Francia
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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.

Autore

Structural Engineer

Structural Engineer

Come amante di Parigi e viaggiatore attento, ho creato questa guida per aiutare tutti a entrare nelle storie di Notre‑Dame — dove fede, mestiere e comunità si incontrano.

Tags

Vaults
Buttresses
Load Paths
Ribs

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