Hypocauste
A hypocauste is the name given to the system of underfloor heating used at the time Roman and Gallo-Roman especially in the Roman Thermes.
This principle of construction was already known Greeks of fourth century BC One found of them vestiges with Olympie dating from first century BC But they are the Romans who improved it in their intensive use in the Caldarium of the thermal baths. One also finds some in the rich person particular houses.
Description
A large hearth was located outside constructions and the produced hot air was sent by drains under the grounds whose flagstones rested on small brick pillars (pilettes). In general the height of the vacuum thus created for the circulation of the hot air was from approximately 40 to 60 cm. It is estimated that the temperature obtained in the parts could not exceed 30 degrees.
In the thermal baths, to obtain more a strong heat, one also integrated in the walls of the terra cotta pipes (tubuli), which evacuated the smoke of the hearths (integrated into the building) and the hot air circulating in the hypocauste.
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