Explain how the development of ribbed vaults and flying buttresses enabled gothic architects to change the structure of the buildings.

-Pointed arches are better approximations of catenary curves that represent the line of compressive force acting in any arch, and thus they exert less outward or overturning thrust. They also present considerable design flexibility, as one can vary to some extent the angle of the arch.

-Rib vaulting builders found that they could lighten the webbing, thereby reducing the material weight of the groin. Reducing the weight of the stone, would allow them to also build to greater building heights.

-Flying Butresses were created to strengthen the upper sections of the skeleton frame because the height of these buildings left them needing reinforcement.