corbeling
Masonry stacking outward
Corbeling is a construction technique where successive courses of masonry project beyond those below, forming a stepped or curved structure.
The method creates arches, vaults, or supports without requiring a keystone: The ancient tomb featured corbeling rather than true arches.
Each stone extends slightly past the one beneath it, eventually meeting or supporting a load from above.
Building with mortared blocks
- steppedMoved foot forward
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- coursingMoving swiftly through
- successiveFollowing without interruption
incremental · overlapping · cantilever · offset · graduated · tiered · layered · horizontal
Sustaining structural mass
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- cantileverBeam supported one end
- overhangSection projecting beyond support
- projectionSomething that extends outward
thrust · compression · reinforcement · abutment · bearing · transfer · spanning · bridging
Precision-cut building stone
- graniteIgneous rock, quartz-rich
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- sandstoneCemented grain sediment
- marbleRecrystallized limestone rock
slate · basalt · travertine · fieldstone · brick · mortar · rubble · tufa
Of the Middle Ages
- RomanesqueRound-arched medieval building style
- ByzantineOf Constantinople's civilization
- MayanOf ancient Mesoamerican civilization
- MesopotamianOf the two-rivers land
ancient · fortification · castle · minaret · ziggurat
Shaping by cutting away
- scrollworkSpiral ornamental design
- finialDecorative top element
- rosetteCircular ribbon ornament
- moldingDecorative architectural edging
dentil · boss · medallion · acanthus · grotesque · gargoyle · bas-relief · decorative
masonry
Building with mortared blocks
- steppedMoved foot forward
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- coursingMoving swiftly through
successive · incremental · overlapping · cantilever · offset · graduated · tiered · layered · horizontal · receding
load-bearing
Sustaining structural mass
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- cantileverBeam supported one end
- overhangSection projecting beyond support
projection · thrust · compression · reinforcement · abutment · bearing · transfer · spanning · bridging · counterbalance
ashlar
Precision-cut building stone
marble · slate · basalt · travertine · fieldstone · brick · mortar · rubble · tufa · cobblestone
medieval
Of the Middle Ages
- RomanesqueRound-arched medieval building style
- ByzantineOf Constantinople's civilization
- MayanOf ancient Mesoamerican civilization
Mesopotamian · ancient · fortification · castle · minaret · ziggurat
carving
Shaping by cutting away
- scrollworkSpiral ornamental design
- finialDecorative top element
- rosetteCircular ribbon ornament
molding · dentil · boss · medallion · acanthus · grotesque · gargoyle · bas-relief · decorative · embellishment