An Architectural Word: Abacus
Una palabra arquitectónica: Abacus
Every day I will explain an architectural word with pictures. The word I chose today is “Abacus”.
Column header. The flat slab on top of the capital supports the architrave.
The flat plate above the column capital. It creates a large surface that receives the load from the arch or architrave. The shape, size, and ornamentation of the abacus may vary according to the architectural layout used. The abacus is thick and square in the Doric order; In the Tuscan and Ionic order, the lower edges were rounded and square; In the Corinthian and Composite layout, the lateral surfaces are concave and the corners are chamfered.
Echinus: It is the section below the abacus that gradually narrows. It is the transition element between the abacus and the main body of the column.
Stylobate: A general feature of classical architectural orders was that columns were often placed on stair steps. The stylobate count is often seen as like 3 or 5.
Today, it is similar to the column heads used to prevent the punching effect in reinforced concrete buildings.
