What were the flying buttresses during the gothic structural period.?

Question

How did the buttressing system help the gothic buildings and for what purpose were they. Also how was it revolutionary? Where was the first flying buttress used and how did it evolve to the rest of Europe and the rest of the world.
Please provide me as much information as you can. thanks!

Answer 1

You should get information at your local Library on this subject as it is both vast (in terms of reference material available) and rather specific (in terms of the specific questions you want answered).

Or try www.wikipedia.com for some information. However I am assuming that this information is required for a project or assignment of some kind and Wikipedia and Yahoo! Answers will not be accepted by most professors and teachers as accredited academic reference material in most case and can not be sited making the information you use from these sites plagiarism.

I hope that this helps.

Answer 2

The Flying butress is basically a support beam the helps span an opening, therefore allowing the ceiling to be higher and the wall to be further from the center of the floor, basically widening the entire floor space. It kind of looks like an arch, however, it is much larger. Notre Dame has good examples of Flying Buttresses, but I don't think it was the first to have them. It was revolutionary because it allowed architects to build (mostly churches) to spectacular size and height.

Answer 3

Is this homework? What kind of crap do they have you doing in schools these days!?!?!?!?!? What does it matter what a flying buttress was other than it allowed people to build taller churches!!??

Answer 4

They were used as outside supports for the tall buildings.

Answer 5

Read your text book.