Engineering

Architecture

The art and science of designing and constructing buildings and other physical structures.

Vernacular Architecture

Methods of construction that use locally available resources and traditions to address local needs.

Bearing Walls

Solid walls that provide support for each other and for the roof.

Post-and-Lintel Construction

A construction method where horizontal beams are placed across vertical posts.

Arch

A curved structure for spanning an opening, designed to support a vertical load primarily by axial compression.

Voussoir

The wedge-shaped units in an arch that give mutual support.

Keystone

The voussoir at the crown of the arch, serving to lock the others in place.

Vault

A series of arches that form a continuous arched covering.

Dome

An arrangement of several arches whose bases form a circle and the tops meet in the center.

Pantheon

An ancient Roman temple known for its massive dome and oculus.

Colosseum

An ancient amphitheater in Rome, known for its grandeur and historical significance.

Reinforced Concrete

Concrete that has metal rods added to improve its tensile strength.

Aqueducts

Structures built to convey water over long distances.

Great Wall of China

A series of fortifications made of various materials, constructed to protect against invasions.