Geometrical Analysis of the Coffers of the Pantheon’s Dome in Rome

The shape and layout of the coffers of the Pantheon’s dome have been studied for centuries. The configuration of the coffers is governed by a complex design that is based on geometric-constructive laws yet to be defined. There is no recent and complete graphic restitution of the Pantheon in scientif...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nexus network journal 2017-07, Vol.19 (2), p.363-382
Main Authors: Aliberti, Licinia, Alonso-Rodríguez, Miguel Ángel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Design analysis
Documents
History
History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics
Irregularities
Mathematics
Mathematics and Statistics
Popular Science
Restitution
Scientific papers
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Summary:The shape and layout of the coffers of the Pantheon’s dome have been studied for centuries. The configuration of the coffers is governed by a complex design that is based on geometric-constructive laws yet to be defined. There is no recent and complete graphic restitution of the Pantheon in scientific publications. In this research, contemporary metric restitution techniques were employed to survey the dome’s soffit. The layout of the coffers and their relationships with the spherical surface were analysed according to the performed survey. Through a comparative analysis between the restitution model and the ideal model of the dome’s soffit, we can identify possible irregularities and the laws that govern the elaborated design of these elements.
ISSN:1590-5896
1522-4600
DOI:10.1007/s00004-017-0339-7