BIOMIMICRY ARCHITECTURE
Biomimetic architecture is a multi-disciplinary scientific approach
to sustainable design that goes beyond using nature as inspiration
for aesthetics but rather deeply studying and applying construction
principles that are found in natural environments and species.
EIFFEL TOWER
STRUCTURAL STABILITY IS INSPIRED FROM
HUMAN THIGH BONE– EIFFEL TOWER
The Eiffel Tower in Paris, The tower's lattice pattern is similar to the natural forms
of bones and leaves, and the tower's curved structure is supported by a lattice of
studs and braces, similar to the way the trabeculae support the head of the femur.
The tower's original design was based on the human femur, the largest and longest
bone in the body. The femur is lightweight but can withstand a lot of pressure,
which the Eiffel Tower needs. The human femur also has an organized lattice of
bone fibers that give it more structure and stability. The tower's curvature also
helps it withstand the bending and shearing effects of the wind. The lattice
pattern within the heart of the tower provides stability, no matter the conditions
it faces.
STRUCTURAL ELEMENT:
The tower's structural elements include:
• Lattice girders: Four massive, arched legs that
converge at the top to form a single vertical axis
• Masonry columns: Curve inward and meet in a
single, tapered tower
• Concrete slabs: Each pier rests on four concrete
slabs
• Curved uprights: Mathematically calculated to
provide the most efficient wind resistance
• The tower is an open-lattice iron structure with
four massive arched legs that rest on masonry
columns that curve inward and meet in a single,
tapered tower.
• It is set on masonry columns that curve inward
and meet in a single, tapered tower. Each pier
rests on four concrete slabs.
• The tower is made of 18,000 pieces
accurate to a tenth of millimeters that
has been joined together by 2,500,000
rivets.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEM:
• The Eiffel Tower's structural system is made
up of lattice-work columns at the four corners
of the tower, with diagonals connecting four
elements.
• The columns are lightweight but stiff.
• The tower's lattice structure provides rigidity, allowing it to withstand strong winds and other
environmental forces.
• The tower's design incorporates arches and trusses, distributing the weight evenly and ensuring
structural integrity.
• The tower is made almost entirely of open-lattice wrought iron, chosen for its strength and
durability.
• The tower's ratio of axial forces created by the dead load (N) and the wind load (N) is 1.34,
which is a testament to the tower's efficiency at resisting wind loads.
• The tower has masonry foundations that measure 16.4 by 32.8 feet at the corners of each pillar.
This means that the soil only supports between 42 and 57 pounds per square inch.
• Despite its 8,047 tons of iron, the tower is as light as a feather.
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT:
• The Eiffel Tower is made of iron, not steel.
• The puddle iron that makes up the Eiffel Tower's structure came from the
Pompey forges (East of France).
• The iron plates and beams produced through the puddling process were then
preassembled in the Eiffel factories in Levallois Perret using rivets.
• The Eiffel Tower is made up of 7,000 metric tons of puddling iron, which is the
precursor to construction steel.
• The iron framework alone weighs 7,300 tons.
FORMULA
• The Eiffel Tower's weight relative to point A is equal to P(x)·f(x),
where P(x) represents the weight of the part of the tower above
A up to the top of the tower, and f(x) is half the width of the
tower at A.
• The forces on a piece of the Eiffel Tower at a
distance t from the top of the tower, with its
thickness equal to dt, are:
• Weight: proportional to its volume, or dP(t) =
4kf(t)^2dt
• Horizontal wind: proportional to the part of
the surface in direction of the wind, or dV(t)
= 2Kf(t)dt
• The Eiffel Tower's profile conforms to the
moment distribution wrought by the wind.
• The tower's internal forces use the values l =
984 feet and p = 2.6 k/ft.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES:
• The Eiffel Tower's 2024 renovation is using 3D modeling, data insights, and
virtual reality (VR) tours to improve the tower's accessibility, security, and
visitor experience.
• The renovation will also include Building Information Modeling (BIM) to meet
Paris' strict building codes.
• some other recent developments related to the Eiffel Tower:
• 2000: A television antenna was installed, increasing the tower's height by
17 ft
• 2024: The tower will use 3D modeling and data insights to ensure precise
planning and execution
• The Eiffel Tower's construction also uses innovative
techniques, including:
• Wrought iron
• Wind tunnel testing
• Hydraulic elevators
• Watertight metal caissons
• Assembly line system
• Unique lattice structure
• Arches and trusses
