Author(s)

G.C. Manos

Abstract

Ancient Greek and Roman structures composed of large heavy members that simply lie on top of each other in a perfect-fit construction without the use of connecting mortar, are distinctly different from relatively flexible contemporary structures. The colonnade (including free-standing monolithic columns or columns with drums) is the typical structural form of ancient Greek or Roman temples. The columns are connected at the top with the epistyle (entablature), also composed of monolithic orthogonal blocks, spanning the distance between two columns. The seismic response mechanisms that develop on this solid block structural system during strong ground motions can include sliding and rocking, thus dissipating the seismic energy in a di

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