In the present study, we analysed the exact, laser-scanned geometry of the apse vault
of the catholic church of Andocs. The written sources about this vault are very limited,
however, the point cloud-based research could provide new details about the history
of the building, along with the formerly used building techniques. For the analysis,
we worked based on our three-step analysis process, established for net vaults. During
the studying of the rib system, we reconstructed the probable original construction
and building method, as well as the temporary supporting structures of the early 16
th -century vault. The analysis of the individual ribs led us to conclusions about
this vault, in the mirror of the widespread ideas of the topic’s technical literature,
such as the “Prinzipalbogen” theory (all the ribs of a given net vault have the same
curvature), or the principle of the longest route (the cumulated length of the ribs’
plan, which led from the impost to the crown with the longest possible route equals
to the radius of the ribs’ curvature). Regarding the curvilinear rib elements, we
presumed a likely fabrication method, based on contemporary research results. Mapping
the webbing and the ribs, we concluded their building order, as well as the plausible
masonry technique of the webs.
