Finite Element Analysis of the Construction of the Tower of Pisa

The Tower of Pisa was constructed between 1173 and 1370 as a naval base of in the Roman times. The tower becomes a subject of studying in civil engineering because of its tilt towards the South of almost 5 degrees. Motivated by its tilting phenomenon, this paper discusses a simulation of the construction of the tower and the effects the tilt has on the ground. It also evaluates the soil excavation method performed by past engineers in its stabilization process. The result of the simulation testifies that maximum stress occurs on the South side of the tower. The gravity of tower creates a region of compressed soil on the northside which loses subsoil on the southside and furthers inclination. It is noteworthy that the location of maximum stress does not vary hugely with ground compositions but being made of materials with softer quality cause more significant deformations. The paper suggests that future preservation of the tower should focus on methods like soil excavation, as it uses the relationship between ground composition and the tower's deformation to lessen the tilt.