The Function of Hydrostatics In The Design Of Public Fountains

The Function of Hydrostatics In The Design Of Public Fountains All liquids in a state of equilibrium exert power on the materials it comes in contact with. Function Hydrostatics Design Public Fountains 93392753920434738.jpg

Function Hydrostatics Design Public Fountains 93392753920434738.jpg

These fall into 2 groupings, hydrostatic load or outside force. When used against a level surface, the liquid exerts equal force against all points of that surface. When an object is completely submerged in a liquid, vertical force is applied to the object at each and every point. These vertical forces are buoyancy, and the concept itself is more fully explained by Archimedes’principle. Generally, hydrostatic pressure on a point of liquid is a product of the hydrostatic force exerted on it. Examples of these containers can be observed in the manner in which a city circulates water, along with its fountains and artesian wells.

The Original Public Water Features

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The Original Public Water Features The water from creeks and other sources was originally supplied to the occupants of nearby towns and municipalities by way of water fountains, whose design was largely practical, not aesthetic. In the years before electric power, the spray of fountains was powered by gravity alone, usually using an aqueduct or water source located far away in the surrounding hills. The appeal and spectacle of fountains make them ideal for historic memorials. If you saw the first fountains, you would not recognize them as fountains. Simple stone basins sculpted from nearby material were the very first fountains, used for religious purposes and drinking water. Stone basins as fountains have been recovered from 2,000 BC. The force of gravity was the power source that controlled the oldest water fountains. These ancient water fountains were created to be functional, usually situated along reservoirs, streams and rivers to supply drinking water. The people of Rome began creating decorative fountains in 6 B.C., most of which were metallic or stone masks of creatures and mythological characters. Water for the community fountains of Rome arrived to the city via a elaborate system of water aqueducts.

The City Of Rome, Gian Bernini, And Fountains

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The City Of Rome, Gian Bernini, And Fountains There are many popular water features in the city center of Rome. Nearly all of them were planned, architected and constructed by one of the finest sculptors and artists of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Marks of his life's work are evident throughout the roads of Rome because, in addition to his abilities as a fountain builder, he was additionally a city builder. Bernini's father, a renowned Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son, and they eventually moved in Rome, to fully show their artwork in the form of community water fountains and water features. An diligent employee, the young Bernini received compliments and patronage of many popes and influential designers. He was initially renowned for his sculpture. He used his ability and melded it gracefully with Roman marble, most significantly in the Vatican. Though he was influenced by many, Michelangelo had the most serious effect on him, both personally and professionally.

Water Delivery Strategies in Historic Rome

Water Delivery Strategies in Historic Rome Rome’s 1st raised aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was built in 273 BC; before that, inhabitants residing at higher elevations had to rely on natural springs for their water. Throughout this period, there were only two other technologies capable of supplying water to higher areas, subterranean wells and cisterns, which accumulated rainwater. In the early 16th century, the city began to utilize the water that ran underground through Acqua Vergine to provide drinking water to Pincian Hill. During its initial building and construction, pozzi (or manholes) were installed at set intervals alongside the aqueduct’s channel. Water Delivery Strategies Historic Rome 65573307077252000381.jpg

Water Delivery Strategies Historic Rome 65573307077252000381.jpg

While these manholes were developed to make it easier to manage the aqueduct, it was also feasible to use buckets to remove water from the channel, which was done by Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi from the time he purchased the property in 1543 to his passing in 1552. Reportedly, the rainwater cistern on his property wasn’t enough to fulfill his needs. That is when he decided to create an access point to the aqueduct that ran beneath his property.