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... iles supporting the bridge had to be sunk in eighty feet of rushing water. Working sixteen hours a day trying to sink the piles with excavation, Eiffel realized that a new method had to be designed. He carefully plotted each detail and devised a way to sink the piles without excavation which saved weeks of precious labor. The bridge was completed ahead of time due to Eiffel's pure genius. Gustave Eiffel had plans other than to just design the tower for the entry to the Paris Exposition of 1889.
Angered at Bismarck's cruelty to Paris in the spring of 1871 by cutting its people off from the world, Eiffel vowed that this type of incident would never reoccur. Eiffel claimed that if France should ever again be occupied by a foreign power, from his tower Paris would continue to communicate with the world by radio signals (Spiering, 1986, p. 93). Gustave Eiffel also designed parts of the tower to aid in scientific exploration. He designed the peak of the tower to act as an observation station to measure the speed of wind.
By encouraging several scientific experiments that occurred at the observation station, the first mercury barometer was created (web). The tower was also used to house an antenna for telegraphy at that time. In 1909 the tower was almost torn down; according to the terms of the concession awarded by the City of Paris, the tower was only to stand for twenty years. But Eiffel was determined to keep it standing by proving its importance. He did this by using it as a massive tower to study meteorology, radiotelegraphy, and aerodynamics.
Eiffel even designed a small wind tunnel at the foot of the tower in 1909 to study aerodynamics. Because of the importance of Eiffel's studies, the City of Paris decided to let the Eiffel Tower remain standing (web). The Eiffel tower was later used to house an antenna for French radio beginning in 1918, and French television since 1957 (web). Still today it is used both for radio and television transmission. If the Eiffel Tower were to be reconstructed today in California it would probably still take about two years to complete. This is because it is such an intricate structure and even with our modern day machinery will still take time to make sure every rivet connecting each piece is in place.
It would be recommended to be reconstructed with steel since it is such a durable material, more durable than puddle iron, and will ensure that the tower will last for many years. It is also relatively inexpensive. In 1998 steel varied in price from around $. 60 /kg up to $ 3. 30 for the strongest type of steel, steel alloy 4340. (Callister, 2000, p. 818) If an average grade is used the total cost of the tower would be estimated around two million dollars since in 1889 the cost was 6, 500, 000 francs or about 975, 000 dollars including the consideration of inflation. (Loyrette, 1985, p. 121) There really is no alternative today for the steel since steel is one of the strongest metals and is the most cost effective except for using a more expensive alloy to ensure strength. Another reason why the Eiffel Tower should be recreated in California over any other world famous historical structure is because it is one of the few that would be able to withstand the stresses of earthquakes, a natural disaster very common to California.
This is possible with the Eiffel Towers structure because of the elastic properties of iron and the openness of the tower that allows for movement. The towers maximum sway in the wind is only 12 centimeters, and it increases / decreases 15 centimeters depending on the outside temperature (web). Since this structure can adapt so well to its environment it would also do well with the vibrations created by earthquakes. Also, the iron is able to expand due to temperature change, which does fluctuate throughout the seasons in California. It also helps that the structure has a 2. 5 square acre base so if any large cracks would appear, none would be large enough to cause the four legs of the tower to become so unstable that the tower would topple. The best strategy to complete this project would be to first find some qualified engineers who will be able to study Gustave Eiffel's work and learn how he constructed the structure.
Then a site must be proposed that is in a good location so that it is convenient for tourists. A good site would be one around a commercial district where hotels, restaurants, and shopping are located close by. Next proper funding must be worked out, whether it is all from one person and or a portion from bank loans. Finally, a construction company must be decided upon. Once this is done construction may begin. Advertising may be considered to let people around the world know that this replica is being created so that upon completion there will be a large tourist draw.
After the two years estimated time it will be well worth all the hard work when America can view its own Eiffel Tower right in one of its own 50 states, California. Without the construction of the original Eiffel Tower in Paris, Frances many discoveries in aerodynamics, meteorology, and radiotelegraphy would not have been possible. The tower also represents great architectural and engineering development, which was considered ahead of its time in 1889 when the tower was built. Beauty is also represented in the construction of the tower with its unique openness and size. Overall, the tower is a great technological advancement, which can be recognized around the world by a picture alone, so why not bring it to America?
References Callister, W. D. Jr. (2000). Materials Science and Engineering.
New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Eiffel Tower. Retrieved October 8, 2000, from the World Wide Web: web Eiffel Tower Web Page. Retrieved October 8, 2000, from the World Wide Web: web Gustave Eiffel.
Retrieved October 8, 2000, from the World Wide Web: web Loyrette, H. (1985). Gustave Eiffel. New York: Rizzoli International Publications Inc. The official site of the Eiffel Tower.
Retrieved October 8, 2000, from the World Wide Web: web uk / index . html The official site of Paris. Retrieved October 8, 2000, from the World Wide Web: web Spiering, F. (1986). Bearer of a Million Dreams: the Biography of the Statue of Liberty. Ottawa, IL: Jameson Books.
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Research essay sample on Recreation Of The Eiffel Tower In California
