REFSHEET-Kirchentrum-St.Moritz-mainimg

Switzerland

Leaning Tower of St. Moritz

Project description

As a result of its location on the side of a hill with unstable soil conditions, this 16th century structure was noted in the second half of the 18th century to have already suffered damage due to earth pressures. Rehabilitation works were regularly required throughout the years because the creeping movement of the slope could not be stopped. In the last major attempt in 1983, three pot bearings were installed to support the tower. In spite of this, the tower continued to lean further, necessitating rehabilitation in 2013 to reduce the angle of leaning.

Technical approach

In order to reduce the tower’s tilt, it was decided to lower it at the hill side by 40 mm, by modifying the bearing at that location. This would have the effect of reducing the deviation from vertical at the top of the tower by 160 mm.

Four hydraulic jacks with a total capacity of 8000 kN were used, placed on guided sliding equipment in order to resist horizontal forces. Additional vertically installed jacks enabled the tower’s position to be adjusted during the lowering works.

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The leaning tower of St. Moritz built in 16th century

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Special sliding equipment ensures the safety of the tower during the lowering works

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Modification of an existing pot bearing

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New spherical bearing as installed in 2017 with integrated sensor to be connected to monitoring system

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Monitoring control room

Key Data

Services:

Lifting and moving of structures, ROBO-CONTROL monitoring system

Carried out:

2013/2017

Structure:

Late medieval tower (masonry)

City:

St. Moritz

Built:

1570

Height:

33m