Types of Architectural Structures

Types of Artificial Structures

The main types of structures that have appeared throughout the history of construction are the following:

Massive and Lintelled Structures

These structures were built by stacking rock or other materials, leaving little space between them. For example, to build the pyramids in Egypt, stone or clay blocks were stacked on top of each other. The first human-made structures were carved from rock or larger spaces and increase the size of the openings in the built structure.

Vaulted Structures

The arch was invented later, and vaults enabled builders to cover. Because of their shape, arches and vaults can only resist compression stresses and are self-supporting. They stay in position without mortar or cement. This type of structure was used to build magnificent buildings: basilicas, pantheons and cathedrals, etc. Vaults and domes are architectural elements that are still used today.

A vault is made from several arches placed side by side, with the spaces between them filled in. A barrel vault has arches in a line; a rib vault has intersecting arches.

Different Types of Arches:

• Lobed
• Horseshoe
• Pointed
• Semi-circular

Lattice Structures and the Stresses That They Bear

The Floor

Under the tiles or wood is a structure called a floor slab, consisting of bars and filler material. The bars in the floor slab are called joists (small beams). Between them, there are usually ceramic or expanded polystyrene blocks. These are used in modern blocks of flats.

The Structural Elements

The floor slab transfers our weight to the beams. These are horizontal elements shaped like rectangular prisms that are subjected to bending stress. The beams are supported by and transfer the weight to pillars. Pillars are vertical structures. They are subjected to compression stress. Circular pillars are called columns, and if they are attached to a wall, they are called pilasters. To prevent the pillars from sinking into the ground, they rest on the foundation. A foundation may be built with footings, slabs and piles.