Square or Rectangular Column: They are commonly employed in the construction of buildings; these types of columns are given only if the shape of the room is square or rectangular. These columns are made of wood and have a diameter that varies depending on the size of the column. The length of a square or rectangular column is equal to its depth.
Oval Column: These columns are used to support ceilings that have an oval shape. They are usually made of steel or wood and have a diameter that varies depending on the size of the column. The length of an oval column is not fixed and can be longer than its depth.
Trapezoidal Column: These columns are employed to support roofs or walls at various angles. They are usually made of steel or wood and have two parallel sides that are equally spaced from a third side that forms an angle with them. The length of a trapezoidal column is twice its depth.
Step-back: These columns are used to support structures such as galleries, roof decks, or terraces. They provide horizontal support for vertical elements such as walls or stairs and their height determines the maximum elevation that can be achieved by the supported element. Step-backs are usually made of cast iron or steel and have four legs that are connected by crossbars.
Columns are commonly employed to support beams or arches that support the top portions of walls or ceilings. In architecture, a "column" is a structural element with proportional and ornamental characteristics. It provides support for an elevated structure such as a roof or balcony and may be free-standing or part of a larger structure such as a wall or building frame. The word comes from the Latin columna, meaning "straw", which was used to make the hollow tubes in which they were once commonly made.
People have been using columns for support since at least 300 B.C., when Greek architects began to use them in their buildings. At that time, a column was simply a tall, slender object placed in a room to support something overhead. Over time, these objects took on many forms: trees, statues, even entire rooms! By the Renaissance era, columns had become quite elaborate, with fluted shafts, carved capitals, and other decorative elements added. During this period, columns also began to be used as evidence in court cases; each party would have a column of witnesses who could testify about events that occurred during an altercation.
In modern construction, columns are often required to support load-bearing walls, roofs, and open spaces in between. They can also be used as visual accents by themselves without any supporting function.
A section of a column A column is a cylindrical support that is often used as a structural element. Columns in architecture are used to support a piece of an entablature, which is the upper horizontal portion of a classical structure. There are, however, some free-standing columns that are employed for decoration. In engineering, a column is any vertical structure supporting a heavy load, especially one that supports a deck or floor above ground level. The word is also used for any similar structure, such as a pilaster or post.
In classical architecture, the term "column" usually refers to a large-scale element. Each major room type has several distinct column types that serve as their main support structures. These include the triglyphic (three-sided) column, the diagonstic (four-sided) column, and the half-round column. Other elements with flat sides and round ends include doors, windows, and shelves. These may be called "columned objects."
In modern architecture, the term "column" is used more loosely, to describe any simple shape that gives support. Thus, a column can be a cylinder, a rectangle, or any other polygon with two opposite sides parallel. Modern columns are generally made of concrete or steel, but they can also be wood or brick if properly designed and executed. The term "column" also describes any element that resembles these shapes and functions, such as a capital letter C or a finial.