Vocabulary

deliberately –умышленно, нарочно

ceiling – потолок

to suggest –предполагать

log –бревно

inferior –худший (по качеству)

durability – прочность, стойкость

appropriate – подходящий

to involve- включать, вызывать

compression – сжатие

grain – волокно

along the grain –по направлению волокна

versatile – многосторонний, гибкий

1. Complete the sentences.

1. In Zozer’s tomb complex at …, blocks of stone were being deliberately shaped by use ceiling beams.

a) Ramesseum b) Lysht c) Saqqara

2. Timber has a tensile strength along the grain …… its compressive strength.

a) to match b) to complete c) to spread

3. With stone there was only one possibility – the use of metal reinforcement at the bottom to improve the tensile …….. .

a) strength b) weakness c) thickness

4. Iron beams became structurally important elements with the widespread introduction of … iron.

a) cast b) wrought

5. The quantity and placement of the reinforcement … were under the designer’s control.

a) beams b) rods c) foundations

Exercises

1. Suggested the Russian equivalents.

• ceiling beams;

• cut timber;

• inferior durability;

• to involve internal tension and compression;

• along the grain;

• the use of metal reinforcement;

• the tensile weakness:

• cast iron;

• the strength of the concrete;

• the reinforcement rods.

2. Fill in the gaps with the words from the text.

1. This is to be …, since … is easier to cut and transport.

2. Besides, timber, … stone, has a tensile … along the grain to …its compressive strength.

3. Metal reinforcement was used … the tensile weakness of stone beams.

4. Iron … became structurally …elements in the late 18^th century.

5. …concrete is a highly versatile structural material.

3.Match the beginning of the sentences to their ends using the information from the text.

1. Blocks of stone were shaped for use ……	a) were under the designer’s control
2. This fact suggests an earlier use …..	b) of cut timber, probably palm logs
3. The structural action of a beam …..	c) iron beams became structurally important elements
4. With the introduction of cast iron ….	d) as ceiling beams
5. The strength of the concrete and the overall geometry of the element ….	e) involves internal tension as well as compression

4. Discuss in your group these questions

1. When did they begin to use stone for ceiling beams?

2. Why is timber a more appropriate material than stone for beams?

3. What was used to improve the tensile weakness of stone?

4. When did iron beams become a highly versatile structural material?