Vitruvius, the Ten Books on Architecture
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Part1: Read Books I and II (Pages 3-64) of De Architectura by Vitruvius. Then answer the following
questions. Note some questions require you to explain why, or why not – make sure to give complete
answers. (The PDF of “De Architectura by Vitruvius” is Attached as well).
a) What disciplines should an architect study and why?
) What types of clay did Vitruvius describe and which ones were best for making
icks?
c) c. What methods are recommended to minimize drying shrinkage of
icks?
d) d. What types of
icks did Vitruvius mention?
e) e. What types of sand did Vitruvius identify: by color; and by source?
f) f. What “tests” does Vitruvius recommend to identify sands of better quality? What
would be the equivalent tests we use today?
g) g. What is Vitruvius’ recommended mix design for mortar (lime based)?
h) h. How does Vitruvius describe soils in terms of gradation (grain size distribution)? What
would be the equivalent descriptions today?
i) i. What is Pozzolana?
j) j. What “qualities” or properties of stone are described by Vitruvius?
k) k. What test is recommended for durability of stone?
l) l. Do you agree with Vitruvius regarding the disciplines and skills civil engineers or
architects should possess? Why or why not
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Part2: read Leonardo da Vinci’s letter to Ludovic Sforza, a one-page resume or statement
of qualifications Leonardo wrote in 1482, at the age of 30, and answer the following
question:
m. What areas of civil engineering are covered in Leonardo’s qualifications?
Here is the text of Leonardo da Vinci’s letter to Ludovic Sforza letter:
“Most Illustrious Lord,
Having now sufficiently considered the specimens of all those who proclaim themselves
skilled contrivers of instruments of war, and that the invention and operation of the said
instruments are nothing different from those in common use: I shall endeavor, without
prejudice to anyone else, to explain myself to your Excellency, showing your Lordship my
secret, and then offering them to your best pleasure and approbation to work with effect at
opportune moments on all those things which, in part, shall be
iefly noted below.
1. I have a sort of extremely light and strong
idges, adapted to be most easily ca
ied, and
with them you may pursue, and at any time flee from the enemy; and others, secure and
indestructible by fire and battle, easy and convenient to lift and place. Also methods of
urning and destroying those of the enemy.
2. I know how, when a place is besieged, to take the water out of the trenches, and make
endless variety of
idges, and covered ways and ladders, and other machines pertaining to
such expeditions.
3. If, by reason of the height of the banks, or the strength of the place and its position, it is
impossible, when besieging a place, to avail oneself of the plan of bombardment, I have
methods for destroying every rock or other fortress, even if it were founded on a rock, etc.
4. Again, I have kinds of mortars; most convenient and easy to ca
y; and with these I can
fling small stones almost resembling a storm; and with the smoke of these cause great
te
or to the enemy, to his great detriment and confusion.
5. And if the fight should be at sea I have kinds of many machines most efficient for offense
and defense; and vessels which will resist the attack of the largest guns and powder and
fumes.
6. I have means by secret and tortuous mines and ways, made without noise, to reach a
designated spot, even if it were needed to pass under a trench or a river.
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7. I will make covered chariots, safe and unattackable, which, entering among the enemy
with their artillery, there is no body of men so great but they would
eak them. And behind
these, infantry could follow quite unhurt and without any hindrance.
8. In case of need I will make big guns, mortars, and light ordnance of fine and useful forms,
out of the common type.
9. Where the operation of bombardment might fail, I would contrive catapults, mangonels,
trabocchi, and other machines of marvellous efficacy and not in common use. And in short,
according to the variety of cases, I can contrive various and endless means of offense and
defense.
10. In times of peace I believe I can give perfect satisfaction and to the equal of any other in
architecture and the composition of buildings public and private; and in guiding water from
one place to another.
11. I can ca
y out sculpture in ma
le,
onze, or clay, and also I can do in painting
whatever may be done, as well as any other, be he who he may.
Again, the
onze horse may be taken in hand, which is to be to the immortal glory and
eternal honor of the prince your father of happy memory, and of the illustrious house of
Sforza.
And if any of the above-named things seem to anyone to be impossible or not feasible, I am
most ready to make the experiment in your park, or in whatever place may please your
Excellency – to whom I comment myself with the utmost humility, etc.”