Span

See also: Span (homonymy)

A span , in the field of the Architecture, is an opening delimited by two vertical supports constituting the principal fulcrums or the showpieces of a construction (pillars, columns, farms, beams etc). The span can also be the part of a Nef, a vessel, a roof, a Plancher of building ranging between two principal fulcrums or two arcade S or two firm or two beams which are done opposite. More generally, the word span indicates in architecture a division of a room, i.e. a covered space of polygonal plan whose supports are located at the tops.

The various following types of spans are met:

the rhythmic span is a grouping formed of a principal bay, generally covered with a arc in full-clotheshanger, framed each side by two superimposed, real or pretended secondary bays (niches, tables, etc), one under the level of the Imposte of principal bay, the other above.

the span of balusters is a row of Balustre S between two columns or pedestal.

the span of grid is a row of bars between two pillars or two Pilastre S.

the span of gallery is a fraction of gallery giving on the nave.

In a Frame, the span is the part of a ceiling ranging between two main beams or the wall and main beam.

In the Public works, the span is the part of a Pont ranging between two successive supports.

In a Library, a span is a whole of superimposed shelves, ranging between two vertical supports.

the span can be the zone of a room occupied by lines of seats or benches directed in the same direction (towards a furnace bridge, a scene, a estrade…), the space occupied by lines of tables, benches, racks, etc, or space circulation between these lines; or by Métonymie, the whole of people who occupy a span.

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