Evolution of building materials
In chapter 12 we explore the artistic development in Architecture. When conceptualizing a building architects incorporate three things: function, form, and structure. Function is how the building will be used, form is how the building looks, and structures is how the building remains standing. Architects need to design structures that hold up under any combination of three physical forces; compression, tension, and bending. To days architects have a plethora of materials at their disposal, they benefit from the evolution of materials and have the opportunity to use them how they wish, but it has not always been this way.
Primitive buildings were built using dry masonry, which is a simple technique of stacking stones in a consistent pattern without using any mortar. Buildings such as the Great Pyramids of Egypt, and the Great Zimbabwe(190) in East Africa are perfect examples of this type of masonry. In both of these structures the stones are dressed meaning they are cut or shaped before use.
Post and beam and arch structure systems were used predominately before the twentieth century, in places like Greece, Rome, and Egypt. The form on post-and-beam structures has to due with the materials used. Stone beams have to be shorter and thicker because stone is brittle and not flexible. Wood however is more flexible so they can be thiner and longer in turn they can be use to create a more open interior space. Arch structure uses stone in a semi-circle atop two columns or piers, bigger versions of columns, creating a Round Arch. There is a stone placed center that hold the arch together known as a keystone. When a round arc is extend in a depth dimension, the effect is known as a Barrel Vault. When two Barrel Vaults intersect the point of intersection creates a Groin Vault. These types of structures were used by early civilizations of western Asia and the Mediterranean area for underground drains and tombs. Romans were the first to use the technique aboveground and
Primitive buildings were built using dry masonry, which is a simple technique of stacking stones in a consistent pattern without using any mortar. Buildings such as the Great Pyramids of Egypt, and the Great Zimbabwe(190) in East Africa are perfect examples of this type of masonry. In both of these structures the stones are dressed meaning they are cut or shaped before use.
Post and beam and arch structure systems were used predominately before the twentieth century, in places like Greece, Rome, and Egypt. The form on post-and-beam structures has to due with the materials used. Stone beams have to be shorter and thicker because stone is brittle and not flexible. Wood however is more flexible so they can be thiner and longer in turn they can be use to create a more open interior space. Arch structure uses stone in a semi-circle atop two columns or piers, bigger versions of columns, creating a Round Arch. There is a stone placed center that hold the arch together known as a keystone. When a round arc is extend in a depth dimension, the effect is known as a Barrel Vault. When two Barrel Vaults intersect the point of intersection creates a Groin Vault. These types of structures were used by early civilizations of western Asia and the Mediterranean area for underground drains and tombs. Romans were the first to use the technique aboveground and