DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9541#0587
Chap. IX.
BI.TAPUK.
:.(53
dome is the mode in which its lateral or outward thrust is counter-
acted. This was accomplished by forming the pendentives so that
they not only cut off the angles, but that, as shown in the plan, their
arches intersect one another, and form a very considerable mass of
masonry perfectly stable in itself; and, by its weight acting inwards]
counteracting any thrust that can possibly be brought to bear upon
it by the pressure of the dome. If the whole edifice thus balanced
has any tendency to move, it is to fall inwards, which from its
circular form is impossible; while the action of the weight of the
pendentives being in the opposite direction to that of the dome, it
acts like a tie, and keeps the whole in equilibrium, without interfering
at all with the outline of the dome.
4±xr-----
3'2'2. Pendentives ol tin- Tomb of Maliinud, looking upwards, (Ftou a Drawing by
Mr. Onmmfog*) Scale 50 ft. to 1 in.
In the Pantheon and most European domes a great mass of masonry
is thrown on the haunches, which entirely hides the external form,
and is a singularly clumsy expedient in every respect compared with
the elegant mode of hanging the weight inside.
Notwithstanding that this expedient gives the dome a perfectly
stable basis to stand upon, which no thrust can move, still, looking
at the section (Woodcut No. 323), its form is such that it appears
almost paradoxical that such a building should stand. If the section
represented an arch or a vault, it is such as would not stand one hour ;
but the dome is itself so perfect as a constructive expedient, that it
is almost as difficult to build a dome that will fall as it is to build a
BI.TAPUK.
:.(53
dome is the mode in which its lateral or outward thrust is counter-
acted. This was accomplished by forming the pendentives so that
they not only cut off the angles, but that, as shown in the plan, their
arches intersect one another, and form a very considerable mass of
masonry perfectly stable in itself; and, by its weight acting inwards]
counteracting any thrust that can possibly be brought to bear upon
it by the pressure of the dome. If the whole edifice thus balanced
has any tendency to move, it is to fall inwards, which from its
circular form is impossible; while the action of the weight of the
pendentives being in the opposite direction to that of the dome, it
acts like a tie, and keeps the whole in equilibrium, without interfering
at all with the outline of the dome.
4±xr-----
3'2'2. Pendentives ol tin- Tomb of Maliinud, looking upwards, (Ftou a Drawing by
Mr. Onmmfog*) Scale 50 ft. to 1 in.
In the Pantheon and most European domes a great mass of masonry
is thrown on the haunches, which entirely hides the external form,
and is a singularly clumsy expedient in every respect compared with
the elegant mode of hanging the weight inside.
Notwithstanding that this expedient gives the dome a perfectly
stable basis to stand upon, which no thrust can move, still, looking
at the section (Woodcut No. 323), its form is such that it appears
almost paradoxical that such a building should stand. If the section
represented an arch or a vault, it is such as would not stand one hour ;
but the dome is itself so perfect as a constructive expedient, that it
is almost as difficult to build a dome that will fall as it is to build a