Transcript pps

Pont du Gard
Date: 20-16BC (Augustan)
Built by: Marcus Agrippa (builder of the
original Pantheon)
Dimensions: 50m high and 275m long.
Gradient: 1:3000
Construction: 3 levels of arches in local
limestone (uncemented)
Location: The river Gardon, 21km from
Nimes (see Maison Carree), France. (Part of
the old province of Gaul)
Source: A mountain spring near Uzes
Destination: Nimes
About: The pont du Gard is one of the This
aqueduct brings 20,000 tonnes of water
daily from the Uzes springs 50km, mostly
underground to Nimes for its domestic and
civic use (eg fountains, drinking, baths,
sewerage)
Water Transport
The system was made up of:
-a channel supported by low
walls,
-underground piping, and
-bridge aqueducts like the
Pont du Gard.
-Mostly underground
-Gravity fed (1m drop for
every 3km)
-Supplied Nimes with water
for its parks, fountains, baths
etc
Scaffolding supports
called bosses
allowed
maintenance work
General Features
Three levels are economic in
construction, structurally strong, and
aesthetically pleasing.
The channel(where
water flowed) was in
the top level.
35 arches
11 arches
8 arches
The vaults
(thickness) of
the arches
get greater
towards the
bottom.
[1,2,4]
A road
bridge
was
added
in the
1700s
Construction and Design
Three levels of Arch
3RD LEVEL: There were three
arches per lower level arch 1 vault thick.
bosses
people
2ND LEVEL: Arches are
parallel to those on the first
level - same wooden frame
could be used – 3 vaults
thick.
1ST LEVEL: The arches were
all the same width, apart
from a wider central arch
across the river. (equivalent
to four arches on 3rd level) –
4 vaults thick.
Problem: WEIGHT
PROBLEM AND SOLUTIONS
Solution: arches reduce
material and distribute
the weight of the
structure. Vaults make for
greater strength at lower
levels which support
greater weight
Problem: THE RIVER
Solution: central arch
wider, bottom level 4
vaults thick, pointed piers
for less water drag.
Problem: THE WIND
Solution: to reduce the
force of the wind lower
levels have v large
arches, and top layer
has many small arches
Problem: COST.
Solution: repetition of arches
meant same scaffolding used
over, and use of uncemented
locally quarried limestone
Problem: Transporting the
water across the aqueduct
without leakage or erosion.
Solution: channel
waterproofed with 9cm of
brick rubble and morter.
Other Functions:
The Pont du Gard also served
propaganda functions:
• Encouraged the citizens of
Nimes and surrounding areas to
view Roman occupation
positively.
• The Romans technological
genius impressed locals and
discouraged rebellion
• Such an architectural
achievement also reflected well
on its architect, Marcus Agrippa,
and his father-in-law Augustus.