Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
On the other hand when the podium assumed grander proportions, this enclosed
volume below the monument invited exploitation for a variety of purposes, utilitar-
ian (e.g. storage) and otherwise. In this connection it is worth recalling the story
of Apollodoros' critical assessment of Hadrian's early architectural pretentions in
temple design. Apollodoros drew attention to Hadrian's lack of forethought in
not raising the temple up on a higher podium thereby to provide needed storage
space for theatrical props (Dio Cassius, LXIX, 4.1-5). h us developed the con-
cept of the vaults below a building—foundation vaults, subterranean vaults etc.
h e ramii cations of this concept are very great but one outcome is of technical
importance in the subsequent theory and practice of foundations,
viz
foundations
by subtraction as opposed to foundations by addition. h e greater the voided area
below the upstanding structure, the less the pressure exerted on the natural earth
foundations, so that in theory by adjusting the vaults/cellars below a building it
is possible to negate entirely the “pressure bulb” it generates on the soil and thus
do away entirely with the need for artii cial foundations!
Roman
stone
founda-
tions—
h e podium
227
(b)
Walls
h e use of stone together with other material in walls of mixed construction is a
basic widespread device and has been referred to on many occasions in this study.
It will be noted only briel y here.
In general stone is used together with mud brick in ancient walls. Frequently
it may be regarded as an upper extension of foundations, so that many of the
considerations mentioned in stone foundations also apply in this connection. It is
possible to dei ne three principal modes of mixed stone and brick masonry, and
it is to be noted that all apply principally to monumental or semi monumental
construction.
(i)
Solid Stone Socle to Brick Superstructure
h e prominence of bastard ashlar stone masonry in Bronze Age Mediterranean
Aegaean and Levantine building has been noted (v
supra
p. cf Hult,
Bronze Age
Ashlar Masonry pass
). h is type of masonry is almost invariably expressed as a socle
to walls with a mud brick superstructure (or on occasion with rubble superstruc-
ture). Prolii c remains of this construction subsist e.g. in Crete, Cyprus, h e Levant,
Anatolia. At times this construction is expressed in the form of orthostates.
176
179-181
(ii)
Stone Facing to Brick Construction
On some occasions (perhaps to be regarded as a variant of the above) a mud
brick wall is provided with stone facing as a socle. h e standard expression of this
mode takes the form of orthostates, typically bearing relief ornament of human or
182
183-85
