Engineering:Belt course
A belt course, also called a string course or sill course,[1] is a continuous row or layer of stones or brick set in a wall.[2] Set in line with window sills, it helps to make the horizontal line of the sills visually more prominent. Set between the floors of a house, it helps to make the separate floors distinguishable from the exterior of the building.[3]
The belt course often projects from the side of the building.[2] Georgian architecture is notable for the use of belt courses.[3]
Although the belt course has its origins as a structural component of a building,[3] by the 18th century it was almost purely a decorative element and had no functional purpose. In brick or stone buildings taller than three stories, however, a shelf angle is usually used to transfer the load of the wall to a hidden, interior steel wall. Flashing is used to cover the space exposed by the shelf angle to help limit the intrusion of water. Where flashing is considered aesthetically unpleasing, a belt course is often used.[4]
References
- ↑ Sovinski, Rob W. (1999). Brick in the Landscape: A Practical Guide to Specification and Design. New York: John Wiley. p. 156. ISBN 9780471293583. https://books.google.com/books?id=0-Kw2IfWlEYC&q=%22belt+course%22+brick&pg=PA156.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 American Face Brick Association (1920). A Manual of Face Brick Construction. Chicago: John H. Black. p. 110. https://books.google.com/books?id=XTcyAQAAMAAJ&q=%22belt+course%22+brick&pg=PA110.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Morrison, Hugh (1987). "Early American Architecture: From the First Colonial Settlements to the National Period". New York: Dover Publications. pp. 305–306. ISBN 9780486254920. https://books.google.com/books?id=Dk1qhPyIPfQC&q=%22belt+course%22+brick&pg=PA305.
- ↑ Ballast, David Kent (2009). Architect's Handbook of Construction Detailing. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons. p. 93. ISBN 9780470381915. https://books.google.com/books?id=5TunEp-KhgIC&q=%22belt+course%22&pg=PA93.
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