Another tower leaning in Italy? 2

[TigerGuy]

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/bologna-garisenda-tower/index.html

I guess Pisa gets all the press, but this one sounds like it could be ready to become a disaster.

 

[phamENG]

Ha. I saw the picture and thought the taller one was leaning...

At least they're doing something about it.

 

[hokie66]

They both lean. The photos don't capture the leans well. I have some better photos, will try to find them and post.

Those towers are right in the center of Bologna.

 

[hokie66]

I take it back. A review of my photos doesn't show a lean on the tall tower. My recollection from 10 years ago must be wrong.

 

[TigerGuy]

Sure looks like it's leaning, must be the angle of the photo.

 

[hokie66]

Yeah, not sure. I thought they both were leaning, when I was there. Went back and reviewed my other photos, and this one seems to show the tall tower leaning.

 

[3DDave]

Since both are wearing girdles it's likely they both lean.

 

[hokie66]

An Italian engineer once told me that several towers in Italy fall each year. This Wikipedia article says they are both leaning, but not how much.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Towers,_Bologna

 

[human909]

Engineering failure?

It has been around since 1119AD. I'd call that an engineering success!

 

[hokie66]

So a monument to Italian engineering expertise?

 

[TigerGuy]

human909,

That's a fair point. Most buildings we are designing in the modern world are not expected to last 900+ years.

 

[waross]

Acoustic sensors have been placed around the tower to monitor any stress noise of cracks or creaks, while a pendulum has also been installed to track movement

Unfortunately we have lost our foremost expert on acoustic prediction of failures. Stockton Rush.

--------------------
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Not just a good idea;
It's the LAW!

 

[TigerGuy]

waross,

Do you think it's too soon for that joke? I'm only asking, because I giggled

 

[IRstuff]

From Hokie's picture, both tilts are less than a few degrees from vertical.

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[hokie66]

The article said four degrees, and I would believe that.

 

[Red Corona]

Apparently it's been leaning considerably since the 14th century. If they're worried about the tilt increasing or vibrations from modern road traffic making that happen, then they should certainly measure it and be prepared to intervene, but modern building engineering would easily be up to stabilising the tilt. Afaik Bologna is not built on unstable mud like San Francisco so it isn't going to a be problem to find a solid anchor.