By Doug Criner

My background in electrical engineering certainly does not provide expertise in the area of structural engineering.  But I've never let that stop me, so I will offer a few observations which are subject to challenge by my civil engineer friends.

Photo 1 - Typical Brick and Mortar Construction

Typical building construction at Pompeii, as shown in Photo 1, was brick and mortar covered with stucco.  Much of the stucco is now gone.  Bricks were thinner and slightly longer that common bricks of today.

Many buildings had clay tile roofs, with open courtyards in the middle.  However, most roofs collapsed under the weight of ash.

 Photo 2 - Typical Column Construction

Photo 2 shows the construction of a typical column in Pompeii.  The actual structural element is built with bricks and mortar, and then clad with a marble or stucco veneer.  There is an obvious weakness to such a design:  while the bricks would provide compressive strength for supporting a static load, the shear strength during an earthquake would be limited.  In fact, it appears that columns built after the earthquake of 62 A.D. incorporated additional measures to increase shear strength.

  Photo 3 - Modified Column Design

Photo 3 shows the remains of a brick-and-mortar column.  Unlike the column shown in Photo 2, the exterior bricks form flutes to receive stucco for a faux marble effect.  Although not evident in this photo, the joints of the circular core of the column could be staggered in relation to the other courses, providing resistance to shear.

Photo 4 - Faux Marble Buttress

Photo 4 shows a faux marble buttress against an exterior wall.  I can't say whether this was for support or purely ornamental.  I wonder if the buttress was added after the earthquake. The two stones on either side of the buttress don't belong in this location, and are typical of ruins waiting to be identified or assembled in their proper place.

Photo 4 also reveals the interior of a wall constructed primarily of ruble and concrete.

Photo 5 - Marble Veneer

Photo 5 shows a typical application of marble veneer cladding a large block.  Such ornamentation is common in Pompeii and is not unlike "cheap," ornamental, faux construction found in modern tourist and resort destinations.  I have in mind Las Vegas, Disney World, etc.  Americans should not accept all the blame for architectural abominations.

© Doug Criner, 2003