How is the structural integrity of very old buildings, bridges, etc. tested to ensure suitable use by people, cars, etc?
In: Engineering
When I visited Hagia Sophia in Istanbul the guides showed us a section of wall that had glass slats mortared in. They explained that the building’s stewards would check the slats after any earthquakes to see which walls were shifted and where to make repairs based on which of the glass slats broke. The Hagia Sophia was built in 537. When you consider the cost of glass in relative prices for the time, this safety measure was a significant investment.
There was a Pbs special on it, discussing modern approaches for stabilizing the building. If you can find it they talk about all the modern engineering improvements they’re trying to bring in to the structure without compromising its antiquity too much.
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