flying arch

English

Noun

flying arch (plural flying arches)

1. A form of arch that does not carry any vertical load, but is provided solely to supply outward horizontal forces, to resist an inwards compression. They are used across cuttings, to avoid them collapsing inwards.
   • 1939 November, “Pertinent Paragraphs”, in Railway Magazine, page 358, photo caption:

     Masonry flying arches strutting the retaining walls in Chorley cutting, Manchester-Blackpool line, L.M.S.R.