Another tower leaning in Italy? 2

• Oct 25, 2023

• #2

phamENG

Structural

Feb 6, 2015

7,245

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

At least they're doing something about it.

 

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• Oct 25, 2023

• #3

hokie66

Structural

Jul 19, 2006

22,581

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.

 

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• Oct 25, 2023

• #4

hokie66

Structural

Jul 19, 2006

22,581

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.

 

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• Oct 25, 2023

• Thread starter
• #5

TigerGuy

Geotechnical

Apr 29, 2011

2,093

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

 

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• Oct 25, 2023

• #6

hokie66

Structural

Jul 19, 2006

22,581

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.

 

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• Oct 26, 2023

• #7

3DDave

Aerospace

May 23, 2013

10,665

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

 

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• Oct 26, 2023

• #8

hokie66

Structural

Jul 19, 2006

22,581

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

 

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• Oct 26, 2023

1
• #9

human909

Structural

Mar 19, 2018

1,926

Engineering failure?

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

 

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• Oct 26, 2023

• #10

hokie66

Structural

Jul 19, 2006

22,581

So a monument to Italian engineering expertise?

 

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• Oct 26, 2023

• Thread starter
• #11

TigerGuy

Geotechnical

Apr 29, 2011

2,093

human909,

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

 

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• Oct 26, 2023

1
• #12

waross

Electrical

Jan 7, 2006

26,817

CNN said:

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

Click to expand...

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

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

 

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• Oct 26, 2023

• Thread starter
• #13

TigerGuy

Geotechnical

Apr 29, 2011

2,093

waross,

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

 

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• Oct 27, 2023

• #14

IRstuff

Aerospace

Jun 3, 2002

44,397

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

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

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• Oct 27, 2023

• #15

hokie66

Structural

Jul 19, 2006

22,581

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

 

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• Oct 28, 2023

• #16

Red Corona

Computer

Jul 17, 2021

81

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.

 

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