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Counter-arch
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<p>Historically, the term counter-arch was used in <a href="/facts/Architecture/FccThs8G">architecture</a> to describe multiple types of <a href="/facts/Arch/t9L51pqn">arches</a> that provide opposing action: </p> <ul><li>an <a href="/facts/Inverted_arch/mf5B8hCx">inverted arch</a> used opposite of a regular one. For example, an inverted arch in an <a href="/facts/Open_spandrel/LwdTxgjD">open spandrel</a> or in "<a href="/facts/Moseley_Wrought_Iron_Arch_Bridge/IJKWjM8n">Moseley bridges</a>", a popular <a href="/facts/American_Civil_War/A9FT3ksD">American Civil War</a>-era design by <a href="/facts/Thomas_William_Moseley/Xc8XJ2LH">Thomas William Moseley</a>, where the counter-arches were intended as a low-cost alternative to diagonal bracing;</li> <li>any <a href="/facts/Relieving_arch/lSR3m1SD">relieving arch</a>;</li> <li>outer "rings" of <a href="/facts/Compound_arch/3YlLImvs">compound arches</a> overlaying the one forming the <a href="/facts/Intrados/t9L51pqn">intrados</a>, used in old English bridges since medieval times, are called "counter-arches" following the works of <a href="/facts/John_Smeaton/ylvEax8g">John Smeaton</a>;</li> <li>an arch that is built adjacent to another <a href="/facts/Arch/t9L51pqn">arch</a> to oppose its forces or help stabilize it. The counter-arch can be used, for example, when constructing the <a href="/facts/Flying_buttress/IGSyyjaH">flying buttress</a>,</li> <li><a href="/facts/Buttressing_arch/M1VoUv0Q">buttressing arches</a> built between the opposing building facades over narrow streets of old cities;</li> <li>in fortification, an arch built on the tops of <a href="/facts/Buttress/EWSXKWWl">counterforts</a> behind the <a href="/facts/Bastion/amXFjgqR">bastion</a> walls intended to limit the scope of the potential wall breaching;</li> <li>when a pier of the Old <a href="/facts/Westminster_Bridge/AYweNXV4">Westminster Bridge</a> started sinking during the construction, <a href="/facts/Charles_Labelye/bz6sn4hR">Charles Labelye</a> was forced to retrofit the bridge with <a href="/facts/Open_spandrel/LwdTxgjD">open spandrels</a> using the counter-arches springing off <a href="/facts/Haunch_(arch)/t9L51pqn">haunches</a> of the two adjacent arches of the bridge thus relieving the pier.</li></ul>