ENGR1020 INTRODUTION TO ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Leaning Tower of Pisa and Leaning Data
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How far does the Tower of Pisa lean?
What angle is used to express the lean?
To clarify the tower lean issue the following angles related to the structure are defined.
a = the angle between the centerline of the tower and a right angle with ground level.
b = the angle between the base of the tower and ground level. (A corner of the tower is submerged
below a level surface of ground.).
c = the angle between the side of the tower and a right angle to ground level.
d=the angle between the top of the tower and the horizontal
Note the top of the tower is smaller than the base (the tower is not a cylinder).
Using the Internet research the subject and document the various angles sited. It may not always be clear
whether the information source is referring to angle “a” , “b”, “c” or angle “d”. Try your best at interrupting
the presented data.
Create a comparison table as shown below and consider the following questions:
 Why is there such contradictory information on the lean angle data?
 Is when (what year) the measurement made a major factor?
 Is the Internet a reliable source to research this subject?
 Is the tower leaning in more than one plane (is it also leaning in to the paper as drawn?)?
Provide the comparison table using WORD to the instructor for the next class.
Website URL
(www.)
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2
3
4
5
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7
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Angle Angle Angle
a
b
c
Angle
d
Year measured
Notes