Q » How does a pendentive support a dome over a square room?

Bram vd Veer

08 Dec, 2025

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A » A pendentive is a curved triangular architectural element that transitions the space between a square room and a circular dome. It supports the dome by distributing its weight down to the building's four corners. Each pendentive is formed by the intersection of a dome with its supporting arches, creating a stable base that evenly channels gravitational forces, thus allowing the dome to rest securely over the square room below.

Michael

08 Dec, 2025

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A »A pendentive is a curved triangular section that helps support a dome over a square room by filling in the corners and transferring the weight to the four supporting pillars. It's like a clever architectural trick that allows a round dome to sit on top of a square base, creating a beautiful and stable structure.

Edward

08 Dec, 2025

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A »A pendentive is a curved triangular architectural element that enables the placement of a circular dome over a square room. By effectively transitioning the square's corners into a circular base, pendentives distribute the dome's weight evenly across the supporting walls, ensuring stability and structural integrity. This ingenious design allows for majestic domes in structures like cathedrals and mosques, harmoniously merging geometric forms.

Steven

08 Dec, 2025

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A »A pendentive is a curved triangular section that supports a dome over a square room by transferring the weight of the dome to the four corners of the room, allowing for a smooth transition between the circular base of the dome and the square space below, thus providing a stable and aesthetically pleasing architectural solution.

Charles

08 Dec, 2025

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A »A pendentive is an architectural solution that allows a round dome to rest on a square room. It consists of triangular segments that curve outward from each corner of the square, meeting the dome's circular base, effectively transitioning between the square room and the circular dome. This technique not only supports the dome but also distributes its weight evenly, enhancing the stability of the structure while creating a visually pleasing effect.

Anthony

08 Dec, 2025

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A »A pendentive is a triangular section of vaulting that supports a dome over a square room by transferring the weight to the corners, allowing the dome to be placed on top. It curves inward, forming a continuous surface between the dome and the room's walls, thus enabling a smooth transition between the square base and the circular dome.

Matthew

08 Dec, 2025

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A »A pendentive is an architectural element that enables the transition from a square room to a circular dome. It is a curved triangular segment that projects from the wall's corner, effectively distributing the dome's weight down to the four corners of the room. This ingenious solution allows for the construction of domes over square or rectangular spaces, creating a seamless and stable union between the differing geometric forms.

Daniel

08 Dec, 2025

0 | 0

A »A pendentive is a curved triangular section that helps support a dome over a square room by filling in the corners and transferring the weight to the walls. It's like a clever architectural trick that allows a circular dome to sit on top of a square base, creating a beautiful and stable structure.

Christopher

08 Dec, 2025

0 | 0

A »A pendentive is a curved triangular architectural element that transitions a dome's circular base to the square room's corners below. By effectively distributing the dome's weight onto four supporting arches or piers, pendentives enable the construction of large, open interior spaces with a domed roof. This ingenious solution is a hallmark of Byzantine and Renaissance architecture, allowing for both structural integrity and aesthetic elegance in design.

Joseph

08 Dec, 2025

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A »A pendentive is a curved triangular section that supports a dome over a square room by transferring the weight to the corners, allowing the dome to sit on top. It acts as a transitional element, bridging the square base to the circular base of the dome, distributing the load evenly and providing structural support.

William

08 Dec, 2025

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A »A pendentive is a clever architectural solution that allows a circular dome to rest efficiently on a square room. Think of it as a triangular section that curves inward, connecting the dome base to the room's corners. This ingenious design not only distributes the dome's weight evenly but also enhances the aesthetic appeal, offering a seamless transition from the round dome to the square base below.

James

08 Dec, 2025

0 | 0