A Case Study of The Leaning Tower of Pisa

By: Hezel S. Maglente

Design and Construction

 The Leaning Tower is one of the

best known and most treasured
monuments of the world.

 Located in Pisa, Italy at the Piaza

dei Miracoli’.

 The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a

circular shape and has eight floors.
The 7 bells are located on the eighth
floor.

The construction of Tower of Pisa

began in 1173 and was completed in
the 14th century, in 1399.
Design and Construction

  The highest side of

the tower reaches about 186
feet while the lowest side
stands at 186.

 The tower weighs about

14,500 tons. 
PROBLEM OCCURRENCE
  The evident tilt of the tower was
first noticed during the initial phase
of construction which began in 1173
AD.
 Additional adjustments were
attempted on the fifth and sixth
stories, but construction was once
again halted before they could
continue to the seventh.

Nearing the completion of the

tower in 1372, the builders made a
final attempt to compensate for the
lean by angling the eighth (top) story
bell chamber. 
GEOLOGICAL PROBLEM

  The study of the subsoil

revealed an inter-layered
clay-type material washed
by subterranean waters.

 The cause of the lean is

due to a reaction of the
composite of clay, fine
sand, and shells that the
tower is built on.
STABILIZATION EFFORTS
The only viable solution that would not increase the risk of tilting faster was  soil
extraction.
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED
THE LEANING OF THE TOWER

 When building over soft soils, it may be necessary to excavate

down past the soft spot and place a deeper footing.

 Replace the soft soil with adequate soil that will produce the
bearing capacity specified in the design.

 Build a bigger footing and reinforce it with additional steel (in

concrete footings).
 REFERENCES
 http://madridengineering.com/case-study-the-leaning-tower-of-pisa/

 https://www.thebalancesmb.com/leaning-tower-pisa-construction-84435
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 2013_TheLeaningTowerofPisa.pdf

 http://www.towerofpisa.org/leaning-tower-of-pisa-facts/

 http://www.softschools.com/facts/wonders_of_the_world/leaning_tower
_of_pisa_facts/93/