TALUS
, or Talud, in Architecture, the inclination or slope of a work; as of the outside of a wall, when its thickness is diminished by degrees, as it rises in height, to make it the firmer. |
Talus, in Fortification, means also the slope of a work, whether of earth or masonry.
The Exterior Talus of a work, is its slope on the side outwards or towards the country; which is always made as little as possible, to prevent the enemy's escalade, unless the earth be bad, for then it is necessary to allow a considerable Talus for its parapet, and sometimes to support the earth with a slight wall, called a revetement.
The Interior Talus of a work, is its slope on the inside, towards the place. This is larger than the former, and it has, at the angles of the gorge, and sometimes in the middle of the curtains, ramps, or sloping roads for mounting upon the terreplain of the rampart.
Superior Talus of the Parapet, is a slope on the top of the parapet, that allows of the soldiers defending the covert-way with small-shot, which they could not do if it were level.
