counterfort

American  

[koun-ter-fawrt, -fohrt] / ˈkaʊn tərˌfɔrt, -ˌfoʊrt /

noun

1. a buttress, especially one for strengthening a basement wall against the pressure of earth.

2. a cantilevered weight, as in a retaining wall, having the form of a pier built on the side of the material to be retained.

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counterfort British  

/ ˈkaʊntəˌfɔːt /

noun

1. civil engineering a strengthening buttress at right angles to a retaining wall, bonded to it to prevent overturning or to increase its bending strength

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Etymology

Origin of counterfort

1580–90; partial translation of Middle French contrefort, equivalent to contre counter- + fort strength (derivative of fort (adj.) strong)

Example Sentences

The talent of Baccio was so highly esteemed by that Pontiff, that he would never have done anything in the way of building without his counsel; wherefore, in the year 1480, hearing that the Church and Convent of S. Francesco at Assisi were threatening to fall, he sent Baccio thither; and he, making a very stout counterfort on the side of the plain, rendered that marvellous fabric perfectly secure.

From Project Gutenberg

Each counterfort extended back 16 ft. and was 4 ft. thick for a height of 6 ft. and then 3 ft. thick.

From Project Gutenberg

These forms were built full height in 16-ft. sections with a counterfort coming at the center of each section.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus when an arch is built to bear against an upright wall, a buttress or other counterfort is applied in a direction opposed to the pressure of the arch.

From Project Gutenberg

These rods are the vertical and horizontal rods in the counterfort of the retaining wall shown at a, in Fig.

From Project Gutenberg