What Is a Rampart, Anyway?
If you’ve ever wondered what a rampart actually is, you’re not alone. This is not a term we use in everyday conversation anymore, unless maybe you’re at a baseball game singing, “O’er the ramparts we watch’d…” However, there was a time when ramparts were a common thing, and guess what they were made of? That’s right- stone, and eventually, concrete! So the experts at Permacast Precast Concrete Fences & Walls are here to help you discern exactly what a rampart is and was, and one could be useful to you today.
The Definition of Security
Technically speaking, a rampart was a length of stone or concrete fortification surrounding a castle, fort or settlement. Commonly found in the early to middle ages, specifically the 13th through the 19th century, ramparts were often composed of mounds of earth or stone, dirt or a combination of timber posts and stone panels. More recently in history, since the fall of the Roman Empire, wide ramparts made of stone and then concrete surrounded castles with enough space to walk on top. These walkways were strategically built to allow for the defense of the castle without being seen, with spaces for firing artillery, pouring hot liquid, or even stretching beyond the rampart to take better aim. If you’re not yet picturing the scene in the movie The Princess Bride when the main characters are storming the castle, this is an exact description of that setting.
Medieval Rampart Wall
Creating Modern Ramparts
Most likely you are not planning for an attack on your new housing project that includes flaming arrows or the need for a moat. Many of these ancient defenses have gone by the wayside as technology has improved, but one common idea remains the same: you want the inhabitants of your structure to feel secure. Today, a concrete wall is still a common sight around housing developments, important community structures like schools, churches, and municipal utilities, and historic buildings like museums and cemeteries. Low and wide, or tall and thin, concrete fences and walls are still in high demand, just like in the days of medieval times.
Why a Precast Concrete Rampart Could Save Your Castle
The only problem with using traditional concrete is the time and money it takes to build, then maintain, the rampart created. That’s why precast concrete is the most efficient option for any concrete building project, but especially one that is meant to create a sense of safety and security. With Permacast Precast Concrete Fences & Walls, you can have a perimeter fence or wall erected in a matter of weeks (guaranteed, since the panels are made in a controlled factory then brought to the building site ready to slide into place) for a fraction of the price to pour traditional concrete. Plus, precast concrete resists natural wear and tear, so you don’t have to pay a king’s ransom to maintain the security and safety you provide for the inhabitants of your community.
By studying age-old structures like ramparts, we aren’t trying to move backward in time. On the contrary, we look to the past to make decisions about the future. We see why our ancestors were interested in securing their most valuable assets, and we follow their lead while applying new technology to today’s construction. That’s why Permacast Precast Concrete Fences & Walls is leading the charge into the future of precast concrete design. Take a look at all of our products, or bring us your next project to see how our products can work for you.