Abstract-
Two mathematical models for the shape of the Eiffel Tower are reviewed.
Reported here is a third model derived from Eiffel's concern about wind loads
on the tower, as documented in his communication to the French Civil
Engineering Society on March 30, 1885. The result is a nonlinear,
integro-differential equation which is solved to yield an exponential tower
profile. An analysis of the actual tower profile shows that it is composed of
two piecewise continuous exponentials with different growth rates. This is
explained by specific safety factors for wind loading that Eiffel & Company
incorporated in the design of the free-standing tower.
GALCIT Home Page
|
|