porte-à-faux
Page approvedn. m. · cantilever · overhang (more general)
Definition
Partie d'un élément porteur (dalle, poutre, balcon) qui dépasse de son appui et n'est soutenue que d'un côté. L'élément travaille comme un levier : l'encastrement du côté de l'appui reprend l'effort.
The part of a structural element (slab, beam, balcony) that projects beyond its support and is held at one side only. The element works like a lever: the fixed end at the support takes the load.
Diagram
Example sentences
Written (email, official document)
FRLe balcon est un porte-à-faux de 1,50 m qui prolonge la dalle du séjour.
ENThe balcony is a 1.5 m cantilever continuing the living room slab.
Spoken (standard)
FRAttention, ce porte-à-faux est trop long, le BET va nous rappeler.
ENCareful, this cantilever is too long, the structural engineer will call us back.
Spoken (informal)
FRAvec ce que le client a promis, je suis en porte-à-faux.
ENWith what the client promised, I'm in an awkward position.
Nuances and pitfalls
Also figurative. Être en porte-à-faux means being in an awkward position, or in contradiction with what you said or did.
Porte-à-faux, console, encorbellement. A console is an element that works as a cantilever (a projecting beam or bracket); an encorbellement is a projection carried on corbels, in stone, brick or timber; the porte-à-faux is the part that projects.
Related terms
balcondalleacrotèreRegulatory and standard references
Legislation in force may differ from what is shown here.
Validation
- French term, register, FR sentences : ✓ validated
- US/UK equivalents and EN sentences : ✓ validated
- Diagram : ✓ validated
Reviewed by Raphaël B. · 8 Oct 2026
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