The Eiffel Tower, a colossal structure that once held the title of the world’s tallest, has stood tall since its completion in 1889. Built to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution, its architectural marvels continue to draw visitors, making it a global tourist hotspot.
The Eiffel Tower’s unique four-legged design, resembling an exponential curve, serves a dual purpose. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this design significantly enhances its ability to withstand wind loads, a crucial factor in its towering height achievement.
Crafted from 7,300 tons of wrought iron and connected by a staggering 2.5 million rivets, the Eiffel Tower houses three observation decks accessible through stairways and elevators. With a daily influx of around 30,000 visitors, these decks offer panoramic views and contribute to the tower’s global allure.
The Eiffel Tower’s foundation rests on a mix of hard (dense sand) and soft soil (silt and clay). The intricate foundation work, considering soil conditions and resonance frequency, showcases the thoughtful engineering behind this iconic structure.
Wrought iron forms the foundation for the observation decks, supported by an elaborate grid of trusses spanning between the legs.
The tower’s beams, essential for load distribution, consist of wrought iron trusses, varying in size and playing a pivotal role in maintaining structural integrity.
The four legs, each 15m x 15m, curve exponentially to form a single peak. These legs, with hollow square columns and diagonal bracing, adapt structurally to the changing loads as the tower ascends.
Detailed exploration of the tower’s foundation unveils the complexities of dealing with diverse soil conditions. Masonry blocks, anchor bolts, and concrete pedestals ensure the stability of this towering giant.
Excavation around the park-side foundations was relatively straightforward, thanks to the favorable soil conditions and the level of the Seine River.
The riverside foundation, posing engineering challenges due to proximity to the Seine River, required meticulous planning, caissons, and reinforcement for stability.
Considering the impact of wind load on the tower, Eiffel’s design accommodated static wind loads, neglecting dynamic effects. The open-air design allowed winds to easily pass through, ensuring minimal resistance.
The construction journey began in January 1887, with casting, drilling, and riveting iron pieces at the Levalloi-Perret factory. Foundation work, spanning five months, involved careful planning to anchor the tower’s legs securely.
Starting in June 1887, workers meticulously assembled iron pieces, utilizing cranes and innovative techniques like jackhammer machines and sand-filled bags for stability.
To overcome crane limitations, Eiffel introduced “Creepers,” steam-powered cranes running inside the tower’s legs. Wooden scaffolds and gigantic bolts supported the leaning legs, ensuring safe construction to the second floor.
Reaching the top required a pivot platform, creating a flat surface where the tower’s legs converged, completing the awe-inspiring construction.
In conclusion, the Eiffel Tower stands not only as a symbol of architectural brilliance but also as a testament to meticulous engineering and construction efforts, overcoming challenges that arose in its path to greatness.