A team of engineers has managed to solve the mystery of why the famous leaning tower does not succumb to earthquakes of great magnitude.
An international team of 16 scientists has found an answer to the puzzle of how the Leaning Tower of Pisa could survive the numerous and powerful earthquakes that shook the region since it was erected in medieval times, reports the official website of the University of Bristol. .
With its 58 meters of height and an angle of inclination of five degrees -which produce a corresponding difference of more than five meters in the upper part- the structure supported, without suffering damages, at least four earthquakes of great magnitude since 1280.
A historical puzzle
For many years this engineering problem had no explanation. Experts hoped that the tower, which can barely stand upright, would be seriously damaged or even completely collapse because of the earthquakes.
To solve this question, the researchers analyzed seismological, geotechnical and structural data. In this way, they came to the conclusion that the survival of the tower is due to the phenomenon of soil-structure dynamic interaction (IDSE).
'Immunity to earthquakes'
The vibratory properties of the structure, conditioned both by its height and rigidity and by the softness of the ground at its base, prevent the tower from resonating with the seismic movements of the ground.
Thus, the tower of Pisa holds the world record of the IDSE effect. "Ironically, the same ground that causes the instability and inclination and brought the tower to the edge of collapse is responsible for helping it survive seismic events," summarized Professor George Mylonakis, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Bristol board.