THINKING BIG : The Dome in Rome : The Pantheon
Location: Rome
Date: AD 118-125
Builders: Initially errected by Agrippa in 27 BC, destroyed, then rebuilt in the 2nd Century by Hadrian.
Description and dimensions: The Pantheon, one of the most famous of Rome’s ancient monuments, is a hemispheric dome built out of concrete. The dome measures 144 feet in diameter.
Construction: The dome is largely supported by the shell of concrete from which its made--the concrete gradually thickens toward the base, providing structural support. The dome is further supported by sunken panels known as coffers , decorative elements that reduce the weight and mass of the dome. The only source of light in the Pantheon is a hole at the top 30 feet in diameter, known as an oculus. The floors of the Pantheon are slightly convex and contain drains in the floor directly under the oculus to dispose of any rainfall that enters the building through this opening.
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