Corbelling domes and bridges in Spain and Portugal: a comparative study

摘要

Corbelling is a traditional old system to build arches and domes that consists in overhanging gradually layers of stone or bricks, rising all the way to the cap. In Spain and Portugal small primitive bridges and a great variety of corbelling domed huts mainly in vernacular architecture related to peasants' and shepherds' lives. This variety reflects not only in the dimension, shape and use of the huts, but also in the material and constructive details. These corbelling domed huts have been classified under their free-standing or grouped condition, layout, cross section related to structural functioning and type of dome, as well as their building material, building process, possible roofing, type of lintel, possible rendering. Although apparently fragile and unstable, this ancient type of arches and domes has proofed its suitability for different uses since centuries and its capability to survive without almost any maintenance.