Approximation of the Curvature of the Parthenon Stylobate Using Least Squares Techniques
Publication: Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 138, Issue 3
Abstract
The subtle curves of the masterpiece of ancient Greece, the Athenian Parthenon, have been the object of many investigations of scientists of various disciplines. A lot of discussion has centered on the shape of the monument’s curved stylobate surface and the kind of mathematical curve that best describes it. This paper presents a new approximation of the stylobate’s curves using the Parthenon’s transverse and longitudinal inclinations estimated from the measured uneven heights of the lowermost drums of its peristasis columns. This study uses least squares techniques and their appropriateness checked through their correlation coefficients to estimate two kinds of conic sections: a circle and a parabolic curve. Finally, the minimum detectable constructional inaccuracy is estimated.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 138 • Issue 3 • August 2012
Pages: 154 - 159
Copyright
© 2012. American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 25, 2011
Accepted: Dec 15, 2011
Published online: Dec 21, 2011
Published in print: Aug 1, 2012
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