Pillars and columns are vertical load-bearing structures, which support beams and slabs as horizontal load-bearing structures at points and transfer the loads to the foundations at points. Traditional pillars and columns can be made of stone, brick or wood.
1. Wooden columns
In timber-framed structures, we have already talked about wooden columns which are typically connected to beams both at the top and bottom by a mortise and tenon joint. The connections are made rigid by knee braces, and the entire frame is further secured by Saint Andrew’s cross timbers.
2. Stone pillars, columns
When constructing the pillars (or columns) out of stone, follow the masonry rules learned for the walls. Carved stone pillars may be made from a single block, or from pre-carved pieces, called pillar drums, or assembled by grooves, pins or spikes.
3. Masonry of brick pillars
Brick pillars are typically made of small bricks and high-strength mortar. The simplest way to build a single brick side-width pillar is to use whole elements rotated in a course. In other cases, the masonry is built as if there were two wall ends, typically using three-quarter elements in a row or two courses.
The brick pillar can also be reinforced using transverse (horizontal) or longitudinal (vertical) reinforcing bars. The horizontal, curved steel inserts are also placed in two perpendicular directions in overlapping layers of mortar, and this is repeated every 3-4 courses. When vertical steel inserts are used, typically 4 bars are placed along the longitudinal axis of the pillar, held together with stirrups every two courses.
