World class examples of the limits that could be reached in 
architectural design and implementation with stone and without steel 
or concrete.

        http://home.tiscali.be/johan.branders/

Note that the Romans used concrete in many of their constructions. It 
was wherever possible hidden by facings of 'grander' material as they 
considered concrete too utilitarian for display. The discovery of the 
role of 'fly ash' in conjunction with burned lime transformed a 
mediocre material into an excellent albeit flawed one. The relatively 
recent addition of tensioning members transformed the product into 
what we know today. ***NEVER*** support a car on concrete blocks.

Achieved "records" are given with photos.
Fascinating - well worth a look.
Note the notional "home page" is broken and doesn't go anywhere.

Highest structure
Widest vault.
Highest vault.
Widest dome.
Slenderest columns


In the latter class, Cathedral Santa Maria, Palma de Mallorca, Spain 
with columns of ratio 14.4:1 height to diameter would be interesting 
to see "in the stone".



        Russell

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