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Especially you, buon
amico. Your boss just called. Your
next project has a projected lifespan of 200 years. Aren't you glad you just
had a vacation in Paris?
Welcome to Pisa, Italy!
Your next project, a cathedral bell tower, should have a
hollow center with a spiral staircase that allows visitors to ascend precisely
294 steps. Not one more. Not one less. The elevation of these 294 steps should
be approximately 185 ft. In addition, the cathedral bell tower must be made of
at least 16 types of stone. If necessary, you can transport these building
materials to the construction site by water.
Do you recognize this famous tower? La cittadinanza of Pisa
certainly do. If you could ask them, they would tell you that the specifications
are for the freestanding bell tower next to the cathedral. This tilting giant
is a must-see attraction in the Campo dei
Miracoli (Field of Miracles), a vital region in the heart of Tuscany.
So, citizens of Pisa,
let us ask you this. If the Leaning Tower of Pisa was built over the course of
200 years, why does it lean so much?
Whether it was the building process or the area's unstable
ground, it's clear that the Leaning Tower of Pisa secures much of its fame from
its unique disposition. The base on which the La Torre di Pisa was built is only 10 ft. thick. Clearly, this
isn't enough support to prevent an immense, 14,500-ton tower from sinking into
soft clay and sand. Maybe that's why the Tower of Pisa
was already tilting before its completion. At one point, it was leaning 4 ft. 7
in. shy of vertical!
The tilt to the Leaning Tower of Pisa proves that its
blueprints weren't as thorough and well thought out as they needed to be. The bell
tower's architects tried to correct their oversight prior to the tower's
completion, but trying to fix their mistakes only led to a curve in the tower's
structure and more instability. Although restoration efforts have been
necessary since 1398, the most impressive attempt is the current monitoring
system.
Since 1991, scientists have been "well inclined" to realize
that they need to monitor the factors which affect the tilt of the Leaning
Tower of Pisa. Efforts to save this renowned structure have been extreme,
ranging from 600-ton lead weights, rings with iron cables, and even the
installation of metallic bars for added support. An internal optical system is
also in place inside the tower. This monitoring system consists of sensors which
record data about variables such as horizontal-point movement, wind, and temperature.
These measurements are recorded every 4 hours, but can be taken every 4 minutes,
if needed.
With all of the push and pull on the Leaning Tower of Pisa,
it's a miracle that it hasn't toppled over. Wind, weight, ground, and general
structural weakness are all major factors for Pisa's most famous landmark.
Why not enjoy La Torre
Pendente di Pisa while it still stands? Let's scale this remarkable bell tower
as it hovers miraculously over its floor mats of clay and sand. Aren't you relieved
that you don't have 200 years of work to do?
Next Stop…Walk
Like an Egyptian
Resources
http://torre.duomo.pisa.it/towersposters/english_version/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaning_tower_of_pisa
http://travel.howstuffworks.com/leaning-tower-of-pisa-landmark.htm
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Re: Pisa: We All Need Someone To Lean On
