Catenary Arches Bracelet  

I have always been fascinated by the architectural works of Antonio Gaudi in Barcelona, Spain. He builds very organic, undulating forms. These fantastical shapes and spires and walls and rooftops are supported internally by a type of arch called a catenary arch. I knew from experience that creating a beadwoven arch was a difficult proposition, most likely to fail when the piece of jewelry was worn.

The typical arch structure would be called a parabolic arch, and this one I knew would not work. In response to weight pressed onto the arch, a parabolic arches channels this stress along its entire length, from base to top to base. The stresses and strains from pushing on parabolic arches, pulling the arches, smashing the arches, would typically end up in a flat and flattened mess.

A catenary arch is a type of architectural arch which follows what is called an inverted catenary curve. A catenary arch, in response to weight pressed on to it, centers its response to force at the top of its arch. It does not distribute this force, as in the parabolic arch. As such, it can handle the stresses and strains pushing on it much better. The catenary arch is less likely to fail because of stress and strain. Architecturally, a catenary arch has the ability to withstand the weight of the material from which it is constructed, without collapsing. This catenary arch can be uniformly dense and thick along its entire length. These are strong because they redirect the vertical force of gravity into compression forces pressing along the arch’s curve.

This catenary arch has been used in building structures since ancient times. It forms the basis of Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance domes, the St. Louis Gateway arch, for examples. Gaudi faced the same issues in creating building structures. His solution was the catenary arch.

My challenge was to see if I could create a beadwoven catenary arch that could hold its shape when the piece was worn.

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$1610.00