Monolithstrukturen

Monolithstrukturen, or monoliths, are large cohesive structures or systems that are created or function as a single, indivisible unit. In the geological and architectural contexts, a monolith is often a single massive stone or an entire building that was formed or constructed as one piece. Classic examples include the Thera volcano, the Ronda monolithic cave, and most notably the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, which was originally made from a single sandstone block. In the field of civil engineering, monolithic concrete construction involves pouring concrete in a single pour, resulting in a continuous, seamless structural element without joints. Monolithic sections enhance structural integrity and reduce internal stress concentrations.

In the discipline of software engineering, a monolith refers to an application built as a single, indivisible unit rather than as separate services. The monolith architecture places all functionality—UI, business logic, data access—into one executable. It can be simpler to develop initially, but it tends to become unwieldy as the codebase scales. Modular design and service‑oriented patterns have become preferable in recent decades.

Key characteristics of monolithstrukturen include high cohesion within the unit, limited internal interfaces, and a unified deployment model. Advantages are straightforward deployment, consistency, and in some construction contexts, increased resistance to weathering. Drawbacks involve difficulties in scaling, maintenance, and risk of total failure if a single component fails. The adoption of the monolithic model, whether in architecture or software, now often coexists with modular or micro‑service alternatives aimed at improving maintainability and resilience.