Structural engg in middle ages

47-CE-2K12

Structural engineering in 500AD TO 15OOAD

Background:

With the fall of the Roman Empire, a sharp decline in knowledge of the building arts had occurred.

Churches during middle ages were intended to be as great past buildings, but they didn’t exactly use the same techniques to achieve their aim.

Art and architecture during the medieval period is remembered because of several reasons, one of which is the way it changed after the Roman Empire disintegrated.

In medieval periods different style of constructions were used in different times.

• Different phases of growth of construction in medieval period are:i. Byzantine architecture (527-565 AD)ii. Romanesque architecture (800-1200 AD)iii. Gothic architecture (1100-1450 AD)iv. Renaissance architecture. (1400-1600AD)

Byzantine Architecture:Byzantine Art Includes The Following Features:• Square shaped central planned churches.• Central domes of great height• Mosiac decoration.• Use of impost blocks.• Byzantine architect created decorative stone blocks to transit between

arches and column.• Early Christian byzantine architect feature clerestory windows.

• Byzantine engineer turned to the structural use of pendentives to elevate the domes to new heights.

Dome of the rock

Hagia Sophia ,turkey

Romanesque Architecture:• Romanesque design and construction evolved from early Roman and Byzantine architecture and foretold the Gothic period that followed.• Despite the many regional variations, many Romanesque buildings share these characteristics:a) rounded arches for support and decorationb) development of vaults - barrel vaults and groin vaultsc) massive doors inset within arches through massive wallsd) Gothic-type towers begin to replace Byzantine domese) small windows f) Christian churches with a floor plan designed around the Latin cross

groin vault:Vault formed by intersection of two vaults

Barrel vault:semicircular vault unbroken by ribs.

TOWER OF PISA

SAINTE-FOY CATHEDRAL

Gothic architecture:

Gothic buildings has the following features:• Pointed arches:Gothic builders found that pointed arches could support more weight than perpendicular walls. With pointed arches supporting the roof, walls could be thinner.• Ribbed vaulting: Instead of solid walls, builders used a series of columns that branched up into arches. With fewer solid walls, buildings appeared lighter and more delicate.• Flying buttress:Free-standing brick and stone arches helped support exterior walls, allowing them to reach greater heights.• Stained glass windows: Since the walls were no longer the only supports, Gothic buildings could include large areas of glass.

Milan cathedralNotre dam de paris

Renaissance architecture:

• Used between Early 15th to early 17th century.• Features:I. Vaults do not have ribs. They are semicircular or segmental unlike

gothic vaults which are rectangular.II. During the Renaissance, architects aimed to use columns, pilasters,

and entablatures as an integrated system.III. Arches are semi-circular or (in the Mannerist style) segmental. Arches

are often used in arcades, supported on piers or columns with capitals.

Santa Maria Della Grazie , Milan

Certosa di pavia

Bridge construction in middle ages:

• After the fall of the Roman Empire, progress in European bridge building slowed considerably until the Renaissance. • Medieval bridges are particularly noted for the ogival , or pointed

arch. • With the pointed arch the tendency to sag at the crown is less

dangerous, and there is less horizontal thrust at the abutments. Medieval bridges served many purposes. Chapels and shops were commonly built on them, and many were fortified with towers and ramparts. • Some featured a drawbridge, a medieval innovation.

PONTE VECCEHIO, ITALY

DEVIL’S BRIDGE , FRANCE

DRAWBRIDGE