construction techniques

What system are Roman towns laid out in?

An orthogonal grid system

What were the two roads that divided the cities?

1. Cardo (N → S)

2. Decumanus (W → E)

What were the 3 types of stone used in Roman architecture?

1. Travertine → strong sedimentary lime stone, used structurally and decoratively

2. Marble → decoratively used by Augustus, highly valued

3. Tufa → porous solidified volcanic mud, easily eroded, used in interior construction

What were the 3 main building materials used by the Romans?

1. Stone

2. Brick

3. Concrete

What was concrete’s Roman name and why was it an important building material?

Opus caementicium, it made up the core of every Roman wall post it’s invention in 2bd Century BC

Name the 3 concrete styles

1. Opus latericium/testaceum → lateral

2. Opus incertum → random

3. Opus reticulatum → diagonal diamond

Why did the Romans build arches?

They allowed them to spans gaps in a stronger and more decorative manner

Voussoir

Wedge shaped stones, used in the building of arches

Keystone

Wedge shaped stone that sits at the top of the arch, which is both decorative and holding the arch together

Impost

A block resting on top of a column or embedded into a wall that serves as a base for the lowest voussoir of an arch

Centering

Temporary framework an arch can be laid upon

Barrel vault

An arch that has been extended horizontally, to create a tunnel like structure

Groin vault

4 arches that have been joined together to create an intersection

Oculus

An opening in the centre of a dome

Rotunda

Any building with a circular ground plan

Coffered

A series of sunken panels in the shape of a square, rectangle or octagon in a ceiling or vault

Capital

The topmost part of a column with the designs on which the lintel rests

Fluting

The grooves running vertically on a column shaft

Shaft

The long portion of the column between the capital and the base