Stepped profile

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title: "Stepped profile" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["architectural-elements", "engineering", "geology", "metalworking-terminology"] topic_path: "engineering" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stepped_profile" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Stepped_tank.JPG" caption="A water tank with a stepped profile at [[Hampi]], a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] in [[Karnataka]], [[India"] ::

A stepped profile describes the edge of something that has a series of defined steps. It has applications in architecture, construction, engineering, and geology.

Applications

Architecture and construction

In building design a stepped profile is used to reduce the visual impact of, or airborne noise around a building. A stepped profile is also used to calculate seismic and wind loads in multi-story building design.

The spillway from a dam can have a stepped profile, which dissipates energy from the released water.

Engineering

In engineering, a stepped profile may be used on a bearing surface to reduce friction between the moving parts.

Geology

A mountain with a stepped profile has a number of denudation terraces caused by erosion.

A river with a stepped profile has a step-like variation in its gradient along its length. This may be caused by changes in the height of the underlying bedrock.

Notable examples

Altar Mountain, a mountain in Victoria Land, Antarctica
Drapers' Gardens, an office block in the City of London, United Kingdom
Cairn of Barnenez, a Neolithic monument in Brittany, France

References

Cowan, James J.. (2006). "Advances in holographic replication with the Aztec structure".
Edwards, Brian. (2004). "The Modern Airport Terminal: New Approaches to Airport Architecture". [[Taylor & Francis]].
Johnson, Stuart. (1993). "Greener Buildings: Environmental Impact of Property". [[Macmillan Education]].
(2001). "The Making of an African Building: The Mpumalanga Provincial Government Complex". MPTS Architectural Library.
Shapiro, Ian M.. (2016). "Energy Audits and Improvements for Commercial Buildings". [[Wiley (publisher).
Chanson, H.. (1995). "History of stepped channels and spillways: a rediscovery of the "wheel"". Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering.
(2017). "Geometrical structures of the stepped profile bearing surface of the piston". [[Elsevier]].
(2014). "Landforms of High Mountains". [[Springer Berlin Heidelberg]].
Luna Bergere Leopold. (1994). "A view of the river". [[Harvard University Press]].
(2013). "Geomorphology and River Management: Applications of the River Styles Framework". [[Wiley (publisher).

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