The plinth is made up of the base and the pedestal.
A plinth is a body that, composed of the pedestal and the base , is located below the stem of the column. It should be noted that a pedestal is something that supports something, while the base is the seat of a column.
Before entering fully into the definition of this term used in the field of architecture, it is important to discover its etymological origin. We can say that it derives from Latin and that it is the result of the sum of two clearly delimited components:
- The noun basis , which can be translated as “base” .
- The suffix -ment .
Basement characteristics
It can be indicated that the basement is an element that acts as a platform , supporting a construction as support since it provides support to the structure in question. Throughout history, different styles of plinths were developed, each with its own characteristics beyond its main function.
Regarding the bases, we have to explain that there are many types that exist. Thus, we come across the suspended one, the atticurga, the continuous one, the compound one, the one that has jonquils and the so-called funicular, among many others.
These types of bases are used depending on the architecture. Specifically, when we talk about classical architecture, the base will be of one kind or another depending on whether it belongs to the Doric, Ionic or Corinthian style.
A plinth functions as a platform.
Its use in different periods
In Ancient Greece , for example, plinths were usually based on a crepidoma (a platform with steps or steps) or a plinth . The columns, in this framework, were supported on a plan known as a stylobate .
Several ancient Mesoamerican peoples, for their part, developed characteristic pyramidal basements. A stepped structure known as teocallis , which was usually decorated with reliefs , allowed access to the temple located at the top.
At a general level, always in the field of architecture , the lower sector of the building that is made up of several planes is called the basement. This basement has a different shape compared to the upper planes.
Basis in various areas
Within the automotive field we can also highlight the use of the term basement. In that case, it is used to refer to an essential part of the car structure: it is the base and consists of a rigidity bar and a fastening device.
Likewise, it is also used within the field of geology to refer to a layer of rock that, due to its levels of permeability and porosity, does not have hydrocarbon deposits underneath. As a general rule, the basement is usually made up of igneous rocks.
In more colloquial or informal language , finally, the element that supports a statue and the pedestal that allows a small piece to be elevated and highlighted so that it can be appreciated more easily is known as a plinth.