This book introduces readers to the tower's history, examines why the tilt developed in the first place, and discusses the methods that have been used to stabilize the tower and keep it safe for visitors.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is known worldwide for its five-degree lean. The Tower is the Campanile of the Cathedral, which together with the Baptistry and Cemetery form a breath-taking collection of monuments which are regarded as supreme examples of early Renaissance Romanesque architecture. In March 1990 the Tower was closed to the public as it was declared unsafe and close to collapse. A Commission was set up by the Italian Government with the task of developing and implementing stabilization measures. This book begins with a brief description of the history of the Tower and its construction. The reader is then introduced to the huge challenges faced by the Commission in designing and implementing appropriate stabilization measures whilst at the same time satisfying the demanding requirements of conserving a world heritage monument. In particular, two historical studies are described which proved to be most valuable in arriving at suitable stabilization measures. The first was a deduction of the history of inclination of the tower during and subsequent to construction. The results of this study were used to calibrate a sophisticated numerical model of the tower and the underlying very soft ground which proved vital in evaluating the effectiveness of various stabilization schemes. The second study was of measurements of movement made since 1911. This latter study revealed an unexpected mechanism of foundation movement which proved crucial in developing the temporary and permanent stabilization measures and which resulted in the Tower being re-opened to the public in June 2001. The book will appeal to both professionals and students in the fields of Architecture and Civil Engineering. It will also interest specialised audiences of geotechnical engineers and conservation architects. It may also be of wider interest to anyone planning to visit Pisa or who is intrigued as to what caused the Tower to lean and how it was stabilized.

In the last forty years, at least fifty books have been written on the subject of soil mechanics, most of them textbooks. Only a few touch on practical applications. Soil Engineering: Testing, Design, and Remediation supplies the information needed to fill the gap between textbook learning and practical know-how. When engineers deal with major p

In this unconventional biography, the author recounts the tower's rich history, from its abortive beginnings in 1173 through to its ongoing stabilization today, and examines the various symbolisms that have projected on it throughout the ages.

A must have reference for any engineer involved with foundations, piers, and retaining walls, this remarkably comprehensive volume illustrates soil characteristic concepts with examples that detail a wealth of practical considerations, It covers the latest developments in the design of drilled pier foundations and mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall and explores a pioneering approach for predicting the nonlinear behavior of laterally loaded long vertical and batter piles. As complete and authoritative as any volume on the subject, it discusses soil formation, index properties, and classification; soil permeability, seepage, and the effect of water on stress conditions; stresses due to surface loads; soil compressibility and consolidation; and shear strength characteristics of soils. While this book is a valuable teaching text for advanced students, it is one that the practicing engineer will continually be taking off the shelf long after school lets out. Just the quick reference it affords to a huge range of tests and the appendices filled with essential data, makes it an essential addition to an civil engineering library.

All the traces of historic heritage are a fundamental part of our environment and reward us in the form of cultural enrichment, with the ability to have a positive effect both on our lifestyle and economy. Therefore, the preservation of ancient monuments, historic towns and sites has increasingly drawn the attention of public opinion, governmental

It’s hands-on science with a capital “E”—for engineering. Beginning with the toppling of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, to the destructive, laserlike sunbeams bouncing off London’s infamous “Fryscraper” in 2013, here is an illustrated tour of the greatest engineering disasters in history, from the bestselling author of The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science. Each engineering disaster includes a simple, exciting experiment or two using everyday household items to explain the underlying science and put learning into action. Understand the Titanic’s demise by sinking an ice-cube-tray ocean liner in the bathtub. Stomp on a tube of toothpaste to demonstrate what happens to non-Newtonian fluids under pressure—and how a ruptured tank sent a tsunami of molasses through the streets of Boston in 1919. From why the Leaning Tower of Pisa leans to the fatal design flaw in the Sherman tank, here’s a book of science at its most riveting.

Analysis and design of geotechnical structures combines, in a single endeavor, a textbook to assist students in understanding the behavior of the main geotechnical works and a guide for practising geotechnical engineers, designers, and consultants. The subjects are treated in line with limit state design, which underpins the Eurocodes and most North America design codes. Instructors and students will value innovative approaches to numerous issues refined by the experience of the author in teaching generations of enthusiastic students. Professionals will gain from its comprehensive treatment of the topics covered in each chapter, supplemented by a plethora of informative material used by consultants and designers. For the benefit of both academics and professionals, conceptual exercises and practical geotechnical design problems are proposed at the end of most chapters. A final annex includes detailed resolutions of the exercises and problems.

AN INTRODUCTION TO MODERN TECHNIQUES IN GEOTECHNICAL AND FOUNDATION ENGINEERING presents in eight chapters subjects such as Special and New Foundations, New Retaining Techniques, Applications of Geosynthetics, Special Ground Improvement Methods, Advanced Field Tests and an array of Other Topics, concluding with land mark Case Histories. Between them they cover a survey of topics such as foundations for special structures and in special soils, special piles, prestressed and shell foundations, reinforced earth, ground anchors, diaphragm walls, gabions, a variety of geosynthetic products and their uses, vibro-compaction, soilcrete, dynamic compaction, vacuum consolidation, the modern dynamic pile testing, pressuremeter and dilatometer, piezocone, GPR, centrifugal testing, piled rafts, box-jacking, sanitary landfills, and fly ash disposal, besides a host of topics of modern geotechnical interest at the international level. The case histories include the foundations of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur and Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the geotechnical intervention in the restoration of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the construction of the Suez and Panama Canals.