The construction of the Tower of Pisa was completed in 1372. Five years later, the tower started to lean south. It started tilting at a small 3.99 degrees, but when it reached its peak of 5.5 degrees in 1990, there were concerns about the tower falling over. Almost $40 million was spent to try and correct its lean. The Italians wanted to keep their historical buildings and tourist attractions up.
The Tower of Pisa leans because the soil under it is unstable. The soil is made of clay, mud, sand, and relatively high water tables. When the tower was planned to have more floors in 1178, it began to sink because it was heavier. Some efforts were made to stop the lean by the third, fifth, and eighth floors. Although the tower has been leaning over for quite a while (about over 650 years), many scientists estimate that it will fall in the near future.
The leaning tower of Pisa helped scientists understand Geotechnical engineering more. Not only does it ensure that buildings and bridges don’t tilt, but it also ensures the stability and safety of structures. We can also prevent collapses, landslides, and other ground-related issues.
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