Pelarna

Pelarna is the plural form of pelare, a Swedish term for a vertical structural element, commonly translated as pillar or column. In architecture and civil engineering, pelarna are load-bearing elements that carry loads from floors, roofs, arches, or lattices down to foundations. They can be freestanding or integrated as part of a portico, colonnade, or arcade.

Origin and usage: The word pelare derives from Latin columna, via Old French colonne and other European languages. In architectural terminology, pelare describes a range of forms from simple cylindrical supports to more sculptural columns with bases and capitals. The term is often used alongside kolonner, though pelare emphasizes the load-bearing function.

Construction and materials: Pelarna can be made from stone, brick, timber, steel, or reinforced concrete. The choice of material affects strength, durability, and aesthetic. In modern construction, reinforced concrete or steel columns are common; in historic buildings, stone or brick piers are typical.

Design considerations: Pelarna transfer axial loads and, depending on arrangement, bending moments and shear forces. Designers consider slenderness, buckling risk, and interaction with beams or arches. Connections to foundations and to surrounding structural elements are critical for stability and durability. Aesthetic roles include shaping interior space, establishing rhythms, or providing decorative capitals.

Examples of use: Pelarna form colonnades in ancient and classical architecture, activate a sense of order in galleries and halls, and function as key structural members in bridges, towers, and high-rise frames.