Cryptoporticus
June 9, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Definitions
In Ancient Roman architecture a cryptoporticus (from Latin crypta and porticus) is a covered corridor or passageway. The usual English is "cryptoportico". The cryptoportico is a semi-subterranean gallery whose vaulting supports portico structures aboveground and which is lit from openings at the tops of its arches. On sloping sites the cryptoporticus is often partially at ground level and supports a structure such as a forum or Roman villa, in which case it served as basis villae.
It is often vaulted and lit by openings in the vault. In the letters of Pliny the Younger, the term is used as a synonym of crypt. The shade and semi-excavated site of a cryptoportico provided cool and moderated temperatures useful for storage of perishables, while it offered a level and slightly raised podium for the superstructure.
Chandrashala
June 9, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Definitions
Chandrashala is the term most often used to describe the circular or horseshoe arch that decorates so many Indian cave temples and shrines. The arch is shaped like the cross-section of a barrel vault.
When used on the facade of a chaitya hall, it is called a chaitya arch. It is sometimes called a gavaksha (or kudu, in Tamil) when used as a decorative element on a structural temple.
Cancellarii
June 9, 2009 by blogtopia
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Cancelli are lattice-work, placed before a window, a door-way, the tribunal of a judge, or any other place. Hence the occupation of Cancellarius, which originally signified a porter who stood at the latticed or grated door of the emperor’s palace.
The emperor Carinus gave great dissatisfaction by promoting one of his Cancellarii to be Praefectus urbi. The cancellarius also signified a legal scribe or secretary, who sat within the cancelli or lattice-work, by which the crowd was kept off from the tribunals of the judges.
Cantilever
June 9, 2009 by blogtopia
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A cantilever is a beam supported on only one end. The beam carries the load to the support where it is resisted by moment and shear stress. Cantilever construction allows for overhanging structures without external bracing. Cantilevers can also be constructed with trusses or slabs. This is in contrast to a simply supported beam such as those found in a post and lintel system. A simply supported beam is supported at both ends with loads applied between the supports.
Cantilevers are widely found in construction, notably in cantilever bridges and balconies (see corbel). In cantilever bridges the cantilevers are usually built as pairs, with each cantilever used to support one end of a central section. The Forth Bridge in Scotland is a famous example of a cantilever truss bridge.
Casement window
June 9, 2009 by blogtopia
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A casement window (or casement) is a window that is attached to its frame by one or more hinges. Casement windows typically are hinged at the side, sometimes at the top or bottom. They are used singly or in pairs within a common frame, in which case they are hinged on the outside.
Casement windows were the most common house window before the sash window was introduced, and usually contain leaded glass. These casement windows usually were hinged on the side, and opened inward. The windows were covered by functional exterior shutters, which opened outward.