
How long can the Tower last?
Wednesday 7 August 2019
Modified the 14/08/19
The oldest constructions of humanity such as the Egyptian pyramids have existed for just slightly over 4,000 years. But the iron that the Eiffel Tower is completely made of is different from the stone of the pyramids. The enemy of iron is corrosion, caused by water and air that gradually oxidize iron exposed to open air. The layer of paint that protects the metal of the Tower is very effective, but it must be periodically replaced. In fact, the Tower has been repainted for over 130 years, about once every 7 years. So if it is repainted, the Eiffel Tower can last... forever.
Micro movements due to the sun and wind
Another phenomenon that can weaken the Tower in the very long term is its micro movements. The wind also makes it slightly vibrate, and the sun causes the sections exposed to its rays to expand. During its daytime course, the sun successively heats the eastern, southern, and western sides of the Eiffel Tower, whose sides alternately expand due to the heat. During the nighttime, they return to their initial state. Due to this expansion, over a 24-hour period, the top of the tower thus traces a roughly circular curve with a diameter of approximately 6 inches (15 centimeters).
These small movements lead to metal fatigue that weakens the structure in the long run. This is similar to folding an iron wire over and over, which ultimately winds up breaking. We could thus imagine that it would take about a thousand years for take the Tower down. But in the meantime, perhaps all of the components of the Tower will be replaced one by one, without affecting its shape or distorting its details. So long live the Eiffel Tower!
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