Pylon (architecture)

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First pylon of the Philae temple complex

In ancient Egyptian and Greek architecture , a pylon is a gate system with flank towers that provides access to a temple area (→ pylon (Egypt) ) or a similar system. As largely independent structures, the pylons can flank the entrance or be connected to one another to form a compact, monumental entrance structure.

Modern architecture

Baroque pylons flank the entrance to Corvey Abbey
Classicist pylons in the old cemetery in Roßlau

Based on the ancient gate structures, pylons in modern architecture denote massive posts, often designed with architectural plastic, which flank an entrance gate in a wall or fence. In the architecture of the Baroque and Classicism in particular , pylons were used to design entrance gates of representative buildings.

engineering

In modern construction technology, pylon refers to either supports in the sense of statics , which only absorb compressive forces, or frames which mainly absorb compressive forces. They were initially developed around 1900, primarily in modern bridge construction , where they form the pillars of suspension and cable-stayed bridges. The experience gained there was then transferred to buildings, initially in order to constructively span large areas (hall ceilings), then e.g. B. in high-rise construction to cope with high vertical loads. There it is support bracket constructions on which the floors or other useful elements are hung. Today pylons are used in almost all areas of construction, including z. B. for low buildings of small size.

Examples of pylon structures that have been implemented are the Olympic roof in Munich or the Europahalle in Karlsruhe, supported by two pylons . The most famous suspension bridge with up to 227 m high pylons is the Golden Gate Bridge in California , the oldest transporter bridge or hanging bridge in 1893 inaugurated applies Puente de Vizcaya or Puente Colgante in northern Spain , pedestrian bridge and support structure for a suspended ferry across the river Nervión in one.

reception

In the science fiction series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , the six arm-like structures extending from a ring on the space station of the same name are referred to as pylons. They are intended for docking the ships.

Web links

Commons : Pylons  - collection of images, videos and audio files