Structure / Lateral support
Buttress
/ˈbʌt.rəs/noun
From Old French bouterez, from bouter, “to push” or “to thrust.”
Definition
A mass of masonry built against or projecting from a wall to resist the lateral thrust of arches, vaults, or roofs.
Fig. 28 — Buttress: schematic studyNOT TO SCALE
Illustrative study — Buttress · AI-generatedSAMPLE IMAGE
Photo study — Buttress · AI-generated00:06
Structural & construction notes
A buttress works by weight: it redirects inclined thrust so the resultant stays within its base. Flying buttresses transmit thrust across an open half-arch to a detached pier.
An educational reference. Project-specific design requires professional guidance.