Anyone here ever seen the word "spandrel" used in a description? Is it a proper word to use if the "arch" is a circular curve instead of an "arch"? Isn't the most commomly used word when a circular cureve is involved "fillet" or "fillet area"?
I have seen it used as an ornamental architectural feature under a windowsill, extending above a window below. See the back of the $20 bill, where they are seen on the White House - triangular, then semi-circular in an alternating pattern.
Not sure how that would be used in a land description, though.
Jim in AZ, post: 353233, member: 249 wrote: Anyone here ever seen the word "spandrel" used in a description? Is it a proper word to use if the "arch" is a circular curve instead of an "arch"? Isn't the most commomly used word when a circular cureve is involved "fillet" or "fillet area"?
Jim:
What I've seen the term "spandrel" used for is in curb & gutter construction where the area from a curb return curve face to the lip of the gutter intersections.
Structurally, a spandrel beam is a beam that is at the perimeter of a building. All others are simply called beams. I hope this helps.
I find "spandrel" used in a description to except out a corner cutoff where they are rounding off a right-angle corner of a parcel.
In the dictionaries I've consulted, the term seems to be exclusively architectural. Here's one of the definitions I found:
The almost triangular space between one side of the outer curve of an arch, a wall, and the ceiling or framework. The space between the shoulders of adjoining arches and the ceiling or molding above.
The other definitions were similar or identical.
I suppose that one might use it to indicate a particular area, but that would assume that the term is commonly understood. I think that even if the curve is a strictly horizontal curve (as opposed to any sort or arch or spiral curve of varying radius) then it would still apply.
The problem I'm seeing is that even the term "fillet" (as it applies here) isn't commonly used. I know it from the term in drafting. I had first heard it from my dad, who was a welder. But outside of those two industries, I've never heard it applied in the way that it is used in drafting and welding.
I think that in any case, it would be better to clearly identify the area by other means rather than just stating the "spandrel" or "fillet area".
