Corbelling is a masonry building technique in which successive courses of stone or brick are each set slightly further out than the course beneath, projecting incrementally until two opposing walls meet or nearly meet at the top, producing a self-supporting arch, vault, or dome without a true radiating voussoir arch. Used to roof structures from Neolithic passage tombs and Mycenaean tholos tombs, such as the Treasury of Atreus, to medieval towers and traditional stone huts in many cultures worldwide, corbelling relies on the weight of the stone above each projecting course holding it in place through compression and friction rather than a keystone. Because each course must be counterbalanced by the mass behind it, corbelled spans are generally more limited than true arch construction.
Connections
Associated With
Coffering and corbelling are both masonry techniques used to reduce structural weight while adding decorative articulation.
The flying buttress and corbelling both solve the structural problem of carrying load outward from a masonry wall.
Corbelling offered an alternative to post and lintel construction for spanning openings in masonry.
Sources
Wikipedia
Wikimedia FoundationCorbelling, Wikipedia summary leadQuote, Corbelling, Wikipedia summary lead
In architecture, a corbel is a structural piece of stone, wood, or metal keyed into and projecting from a wall to carry a bearing weight, a type of bracket. A corbel is a solid piece of material in the wall, whereas a console is a piece applied to the structure. A piece of timber projecting in the same manner was called a "tassel" or a "bragger" in England.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is corbelling not considered a true arch?
A true arch spans an opening using wedge-shaped stones, voussoirs, that lock together around a curve and transfer their combined weight down to the supports on either side, typically completed with a keystone at the top. Corbelling instead closes an opening by stacking successive courses of stone or brick, each projecting slightly further out than the course beneath, until two sides meet or nearly meet at the top. Because a corbelled span relies on the weight and friction of the stone above each course holding it in place rather than on wedge-shaped stones locking around a curve, it is a self-supporting projection rather than a true radiating arch, and it can generally span a more limited distance.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.