23. columns
• This method was also
applied in case of
columns. Each huge
column was made of
circular stones, shaped
like huge drums and piled
on top of one another.
Metal dowels connecting
the drums together were
encased in wood to
prevent them from
splitting the stone.
24. GREEK MASONARY
Each block was joint to its
neighboring block by a
metal Dowell, either
bronze or iron. And
these were fixed in
position with molted
lead. Exposed surface
was left rough and then
dressed in Situ.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36. There are five famous orders: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, and
Composite. But the main are only Doric, Ionic and Corinthian
orders.
76. Temple of Parthenon, Athens (447-
432 B.C)
A slight curvature is given
to the stylobate,
entablature and the
cornices with an upward
rising of 6omm on the
shorter sides and 120mm
on the longer sides .which
if straight in reality could
have appeared to sag of
drop in the middle
The intermediate columns were 1.8m dia. And the corner columns were
1.9m in dia.,
Thus made shorter and stouter ,which otherwise would have looked thin
and flimsy.
77. The Parthenon-OPTICAL
REFINEMENT(447 and 438 B.C)
Designed by Iktinos
• Due to the presence of optical illusions, the Parthenon
has what are known as “optical refinements” built into
its structure.
• These illusions are physiological and psychological in
nature. They are not geometrical effects.
• To the unaided eye, columns tend to look narrower in
the middle than at the top or bottom. Each of the
columns in the Parthenon was built with a slight bulge
in the middle, to make them appear “straight”.
78. The Parthenon-OPTICAL
REFINEMENT(447 and 438 B.C)
Designed by Iktinos
• Columns tend to “contract” near the top, and hence
the base of each column was built a little
thicker. Columns further away from the centre appear
thicker. To counteract this effect, the columns in the
centre were built a little thicker.
• Horizontal lines appear to “dip” in the middle, and
hence the centre portion of the floor was slightly
raised.