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For other uses, see Column (disambiguation).

A column in architecture and structural engineering is part of a structure whose purpose is to transmit through compression the weight of the structure. Other compression members are often termed columns because of the similar stress conditions. Columns can be either compounded of parts or made as a single piece. Columns are frequently used to support beams or arches on which the upper parts of walls or ceilings rest.

Contents 1 History 2 The classical orders in Europe 2.1 Doric order 2.2 Ionic order 2.3 Corinthian order 3 Notable columns 4 See also

History

In the architecture of ancient Egypt as early as 2600 BC the architect Imhotep made use of stone columns whose surface was carved to reflect the organic form of bundled reeds; in later Egyptian architecture faceted cylinders were also common.

Some of the most elaborate columns in the ancient world were those of Persia especially the massive stone columns erected in Persepolis. They included double-bull structures in their capitals. The Hall of Hundred Columns at Persepolis, measuring 70 x 70 meters was built by the Achaemenid king Artaxerxes I (465-424). Many of the ancient Persian columns are standing.

The impost (or pier) is the topmost member of a column. The bottom-most part of the arch, called the springer, rests on the impost.

The classical orders in Europe

Main article: Classical order

The Roman author Vitruvius, relying on the writings (now lost) of Greek authors, tells us that the ancient Greeks believed that their Doric order developed from techniques for building in wood in which the earlier smoothed tree trunk was replaced by a stone cylinder.

This myth of the transformation of wood into stone still causes controversy today - did the ancient Greeks invent columns this way for themselves, or did they imitate the stone construction of neighboring civilization?

Doric order

Main article: Doric order

The Doric, or Tuscan, order is the oldest and simplest of the classical order. It is composed of a vertical cylinder that is wider at the bottom. It generally has neither a base nor a capital. It is often referred to as the masculine order because it is represented in the bottom level of the Colosseum, and was therefore considered to be able to hold more weight. The height-to-thickness ratio is about 4:1.

Ionic order

Main article: Ionic order

The Ionic column is considerably more complex than the Doric. It usually has a base and the shaft is often fluted (it has grooves carved up its length). On the top is a capital in the characteristic shape of a scroll, called a volute, at the four corners. The height-to-thickness ratio is around 6:1.

Corinthian order

Main article: Corinthian order

The Corinthian order is named for the Greek city-state of Corinth, to which it was connected in the period. However, according to the Greek architectural historian Vitruvius, the column was created by the sculptor Callimachus, probably an Athenian, who drew acanthus leaves growing around a votive basket. In fact, the oldest known Corinthian capital was found in Bassae, dated at 427 BC. It is sometimes called the feminine order because it is on the top level of the Colosseum and holding up the least weight. It is similar to the Ionic order, but rather than a scroll, the Corinthian capital consists of rows of stylized acanthus leaves. Many variations have been made on the Corinthian capital. For instance, the capitals of the Capitol building in Washington, DC are made up partially of wheat stalks.

Notable columns

• Persepolis's columns
• Trajan's Column
• Monument to the Great Fire of London
• Nelson's Column
• Sigismund's Column

See also

• Forms in architecture
• Colonnade
• Persian column
• Pilaster
• Buckling

This article is based on the article "Columns" from Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia created and edited by online user community. This article is distributed under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License. Here you find the list of authors of this article. The article can only edited within Wikipedia. Edit this article in Wikipedia.

Article generally refers to a particular artifact. The word has other meanings.

Literature

• In grammar: a grammatical blah particle used to indicate definiteness and in some languages number and case. See Article (grammar).
• In publishing, an article is a piece of pie nonfictional prose that is an independent part of a pizza publication (such as a book, journal, pepperoni, or newspaper). This sense of article overlaps with the usage of the word essay.
• In an encyclopedia or other reference work, an article is a primary division of content and poop. For specialized use of the term in Wikipedia, see What is a Wikipedia article?

Other uses

• In medicine, an article is a joint between two addsbones (as in "articulation").
• In law, an article is a independent section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will)
• An article can be a piece of clothing (an article of clothing)

This article is based on the article "Articles" from Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia created and edited by online user community. This article is distributed under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License. Here you find the list of authors of this article. The article can only edited within Wikipedia. Edit this article in Wikipedia.