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Stringer (stairs)
Stairs are a structure designed to bridge a large vertical distance between lower and higher levels by dividing it into smaller vertical distances. This is achieved as a diagonal series of horizontal platforms called steps which enable passage to the other level by stepping from one to another step in turn. Steps are very typically rectangular. Stairs may be straight, curved, or may consist of two or more straight pieces connected at angles. Types of stairs include staircases (also called stairways) and escalators. Some alternatives to stairs are elevators (also called lifts), stairlifts, inclined moving walkways, ladders, and ramps. A stairwell is a vertical shaft or opening that contains a staircase. A flight (of stairs) is an inclined part of a staircase consisting of steps (and their lateral supports if supports are separate from steps). History ''This is an excerpt from Staircase.'' The concept of stairs is believed to be 8000 years old, and is one of the oldest str ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vertical Direction
In astronomy, geography, and related sciences and contexts, a ''Direction (geometry, geography), direction'' or ''plane (geometry), plane'' passing by a given point is said to be vertical if it contains the local gravity direction at that point. Conversely, a direction, plane, or surface is said to be horizontal (or ''leveled'') if it is everywhere perpendicular to the vertical direction. In general, something that is vertical can be drawn from up to down (or down to up), such as the y-axis in the Cartesian coordinate system. Historical definition The word ''horizontal'' is derived from the Latin , which derives from the Greek , meaning 'separating' or 'marking a boundary'. The word ''vertical'' is derived from the late Latin ', which is from the same root as ''vertex'', meaning 'highest point' or more literally the 'turning point' such as in a whirlpool. Girard Desargues defined the vertical to be perpendicular to the horizon in his 1636 book ''Perspective''. Geophysical defi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Specification
A specification often refers to a set of documented requirements to be satisfied by a material, design, product, or service. A specification is often a type of technical standard. There are different types of technical or engineering specifications (specs), and the term is used differently in different technical contexts. They often refer to particular documents, and/or particular information within them. The word ''specification'' is broadly defined as "to state explicitly or in detail" or "to be specific". A requirement specification is a documented requirement, or set of documented requirements, to be satisfied by a given material, design, product, service, etc. It is a common early part of engineering design and product development processes in many fields. A functional specification is a kind of requirement specification, and may show functional block diagrams. A design or product specification describes the features of the ''solutions'' for the Requirement Specification, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Baluster
A baluster () is an upright support, often a vertical moulded shaft, square, or lathe-turned form found in stairways, parapets, and other architectural features. In furniture construction it is known as a spindle. Common materials used in its construction are wood, stone, and less frequently metal and ceramic. A group of balusters supporting a guard railing, coping, or ornamental detail is known as a balustrade. The term baluster shaft is used to describe forms such as a candlestick, upright furniture support, and the stem of a brass chandelier. The term banister (also bannister) refers to a baluster or to the system of balusters and handrail of a stairway. It may be used to include its supporting structures, such as a supporting newel post. In the UK, there are different height requirements for domestic and commercial balustrades, as outlined in Approved Document K. Etymology According to the ''Oxford English Dictionary'', "baluster" is derived through the , from , from ' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Volute
A volute is a spiral, scroll-like ornament that forms the basis of the Ionic order, found in the capital of the Ionic column. It was later incorporated into Corinthian order and Composite column capitals. Four are normally to be found on an Ionic capital, eight on Composite capitals and smaller versions (sometimes called ''helix'') on the Corinthian capital. The word derives from the Latin ''voluta'' ("scroll"). It has been suggested that the ornament was inspired by the curve of a ram's horns, or perhaps was derived from the natural spiral found in the ovule of a common species of clover native to Greece. Alternatively, it may simply be of geometrical origin. The ornament can be seen in Renaissance and Baroque architecture and is a common decoration in furniture design, silverware and ceramics. A method of drawing the complex geometry was devised by the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius through the study of classical buildings and structures. Gallery Ornamentation This ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Handrail
A handrail is a rail that is designed to be grasped by the hand so as to provide safety or support. In Great Britain, Britain, handrails are referred to as banisters. Handrails are commonly used while ascending or descending stairways and escalators in order to prevent injurious falls, and to provide bodily support in bathrooms or similar areas. Handrails are typically supported by balusters or attached to walls. Similar items not covered in this article include grab bar, bathroom handrails—which help to prevent falls on slippery, wet floors—other grab bars, used, for instance, in galley (kitchen), ships' galleys, and barre (ballet), barres, which serve as training aids for ballet dancers. Guard rails and balustrades line drop-offs and other dangerous areas, keeping people and vehicles out. British specifications British Standard and British Standard Code of Practice are harmonized to European Normal (EN) series. Handrail height is set between . US specifications Dimens ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
U-shaped
Many shapes have metaphorical names, i.e., their names are metaphors: these shape A shape is a graphics, graphical representation of an object's form or its external boundary, outline, or external Surface (mathematics), surface. It is distinct from other object properties, such as color, Surface texture, texture, or material ...s are named after a most common object that has it. For example, "U-shape" is a shape that resembles the letter U, a Gaussian function, bell-shaped curve has the shape of the vertical cross section of a bell (instrument), bell, etc. These terms may variously refer to objects, their Cross section (geometry), cross sections or projection (mathematics), projections. Types of shapes Some of these names are "classical terms", i.e., words of Latin or Ancient Greek etymology. Others are English language constructs (although the base words may have non-English etymology). In some disciplines, where shapes of subjects in question are a very important considera ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Baroque Revival Architecture
The Baroque Revival, also known as Neo-Baroque (or Second Empire architecture in France and Wilhelminism in Germany), was an architectural style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term is used to describe architecture and architectural sculptures which display important aspects of Baroque style, but are not of the original Baroque period. Elements of the Baroque architectural tradition were an essential part of the curriculum of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, the pre-eminent school of architecture in the second half of the 19th century, and are integral to the Beaux-Arts architecture it engendered both in France and abroad. An ebullient sense of European imperialism encouraged an official architecture to reflect it in Britain and France, and in Germany and Italy the Baroque Revival expressed pride in the new power of the unified state. Notable examples * Akasaka Palace (1899–1909), Tokyo, Japan * Alferaki Palace (1848), Taganrog, Russia * Ashton Memorial (190 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Quarter-round
A quarter round is a convex Molding (decorative), molding whose cross section is a quarter circle. It is one form of ovolo. A variation is a base shoe, a quarter of an ellipse. Most quarter round is of small gauge and relatively flexible. It is typically used as a decorative build-up element in mantels and other architectural features, and at the lower edge of baseboard to hide any gaps between it and a floor. Base shoe is used similarly in flooring applications. Quarter round is produced in hardwood, softwood, engineered wood, and extruded plastic. References Floors Architectural elements {{architecturalelement-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Molding (decorative)
Moulding (British English), or molding (American English), also coving (in United Kingdom, Australia), is a strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration. It is traditionally made from solid milled wood or plaster, but may be of plastic or reformed wood. In classical architecture and sculpture, the moulding is often carved in marble or other stones. In historic architecture, and some expensive modern buildings, it may be formed in place with plaster. A "plain" moulding has right-angled upper and lower edges. A "sprung" moulding has upper and lower edges that bevel towards its rear, allowing mounting between two non-parallel planes (such as a wall and a ceiling), with an open space behind. Mouldings may be decorated with paterae as long, uninterrupted elements may be boring for eyes. Types Decorative mouldings have been made of wood, stone and cement. Recently mouldings have been made of extruded polyvinyl chl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kite (geometry)
In Euclidean geometry, a kite is a quadrilateral with reflection symmetry across a diagonal. Because of this symmetry, a kite has two equal angles and two pairs of adjacent equal-length sides. Kites are also known as deltoids, but the word ''deltoid'' may also refer to a deltoid curve, an unrelated geometric object sometimes studied in connection with quadrilaterals.See H. S. M. Coxeter's review of in : "It is unfortunate that the author uses, instead of 'kite', the name 'deltoid', which belongs more properly to a curve, the three-cusped hypocycloid." A kite may also be called a dart, particularly if it is not convex. Every kite is an orthodiagonal quadrilateral (its diagonals are at right angles) and, when convex, a tangential quadrilateral (its sides are tangent to an inscribed circle). The convex kites are exactly the quadrilaterals that are both orthodiagonal and tangential. They include as special cases the right kites, with two opposite right angles; the rhombus, rhombi, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
