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How is the Eiffel Tower able to remain strong and stable?

The iron used to build the Eiffel Tower went through a refining process called puddling which eliminated the excess carbon when the ore was melted. Following this process, you obtain almost pure iron, which was, according to Gustave Eiffel at that time, the best and most robust of materials.



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Wind loading on structures causes overturning moments. The Eiffel Tower's shape was designed specifically to counter the moment created from wind. Gravity and wind loads act together and influence how a building is designed. (More advanced) A structure that mirrors its moment diagram results in an efficient form.

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Eiffel was one of the first engineers to recognize the importance of wind forces on tall structures. He designed the surface of his Tower to be so minimal that the wind has virtually nothing to grab onto. All pieces of the Tower form an open lattice of light trusses through which the wind can blow.

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Constructed using puddle iron, the Tower is protected from oxidation by several coats of paint to ensure that it lives forever.

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The Eiffel Tower's ironwork has been repainted 19 times and a maintenance painting cycle takes 18 months at a cost of €4 million13. The repainting costs are estimated to be ~14% of the current construction cost of the tower.

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Over time, the Eiffel Tower has withstood plenty of adverse weather conditions, including floods - such as the major one in 1910 - and storms, and not once have its structural integrity and foundations been cause for concern!

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Except during summer, when the Tower closes at 00:45 : the Tower lights and beacon are switched off at 1.00am, except for the sparkling lights remaining during a few minutes. A truly magical moment not to be missed!

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What Are the 11 Most Interesting Facts About the Eiffel Tower?
  • It Was Designed by Gustave Eiffel. ...
  • It Took 22 Months to Complete. ...
  • The Eiffel Tower Is Made of Iron. ...
  • The Eiffel Tower Has Three Floors. ...
  • It's as heavy as an Entire Freight Train. ...
  • The Eiffel Tower Has to be Repainted Every 7 Years.


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Since 2011, the annual turnover generated by the sales of admissions for the Eiffel Tower in Paris has increased gradually. In 2019, the turnover related to ticket sales to access to the most famous monument in Paris amounted to approximately 87 million euros, compared to 53.03 million in 2012.

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The peak experience is halfway down. By all means, go to the top if you have the time (skip it if your schedule's tight). But I prefer to linger on the second floor: For me, the best views are from this middle level — high enough to see all of Paris, but low enough to pick out distinguishing landmarks.

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City of Paris ownership Today, the City of Paris owns the Tower and has entrusted its management to a development company (SETE: Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel) of which it owns 99% of the capital. Bertrand Lemoine is an architect, engineer and historian.

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The Eiffel Tower is cleaned every year with four tons of wipes, 25,000 garbage bags, 10,000 doses of detergent, and 105 gallons of metal cleaning solution!

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There is an observation deck at the top of the tower. A. It takes anywhere between 30 and 45 minutes to walk up the Eiffel Tower stairs, and about 20 minutes to walk down the stairs.

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