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PIARC (World Road Association), founded in 1909 and comprising 125 member governments from all over the world, is the global forum for exchange of knowledge and experience on roads, road transport policies and practices. With consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, the Association is contributing to a stable and sustainable global development of the road and transport sector.

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Term of the Road Dictionary

vault

Language : PIARC Road Dictionary / English
Theme : Structures Other Structures and General Items
Definition : Arched structure covering a space, usually in masonry or concrete and carrying superimposed loads dominantly in compression by virtue of its shape. Note: in English an arch is relatively narrow in plan. A vault is a broad arch as in an arch bridge, or the roof of a structure in which the arch action of the curved ceiling between columns and walls carries the loads.