architecture Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and constructing building ...

, ''tas-de-charge'' is a French language term for which there is no equivalent in English, given to the lower courses of ribs of a Gothic

vault Vault may refer to: * Jumping, the act of propelling oneself upwards Architecture * Vault (architecture), an arched form above an enclosed space * Bank vault, a reinforced room or compartment where valuables are stored * Burial vault (enclosure ...

, which are laid in horizontal courses and bonded into the wall, forming a solid mass. This helps bond the ribs, vault and walls together. They generally rise about one-third of the height of the vault, and as they project forwards they lessen the span to be vaulted over.

References

Arches and vaults {{architecturalelement-stub