Learn about the effects of local underground construction on the Colosseum and the preservation efforts to save the monument
Studying the effects of local construction on the Colosseum, Rome.
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Transcript
NARRATOR: It has stood almost two centuries, withstanding fires and earthquakes. Today, the Colosseum is a World Heritage Site and it is in peril. The antique structure stands in city planners' way. Underground construction is making progress, however, the vibrations it causes could severely damage this monument. Structural engineer professor Michele Jamiolkowski is here to put preservationists at ease. Roman engineers are confident he'll manage; after all, they did manage to save the Leaning Tower of Pisa. When the tower was on the verge of tipping, Jamiolkowski had it secured with steel cables and returned to its original position, centimeter by centimeter, stabilizing it for the next 300 years. Now Rome's engineers have put the city's future in his hands.
MICHELE JAMIOLKOWSKI: "This is my most challenging project. We bear a huge responsibility for 58 monuments of enormous historical value. Some of them are even UNESCO World Heritage Sites."
NARRATOR: The Colosseum is the highest profile structure. All sources pertaining to the building materials and design of this monument are essential. But to make any authoritative statements, the researchers need data on its current condition. To do that, engineers must first do a detailed survey and gather photographs of the structure. Works on the site must locate all existing fissures, this will help determine if any new damage has been caused later. In addition, the images provide the necessary data for a three-dimensional computer simulation. To this end, each part of the edifice is photographed multiple times from various perspectives. These images can be used to make an exact computer re-creation of the Colosseum. The different colors denote different building materials of varying elasticity. Antique builders were masters of their trade as well.
GIORGIO GROCI: "In the worst case scenario gaps might arise in some seams, no huge cracks, but fissures and some minor shifting. The fourth storey is at particular risk; the seams there could open wider and that could lead to hairline fractures."
NARRATOR: So the Colosseum will continue to stand as a testament to Rome's past.
MICHELE JAMIOLKOWSKI: "This is my most challenging project. We bear a huge responsibility for 58 monuments of enormous historical value. Some of them are even UNESCO World Heritage Sites."
NARRATOR: The Colosseum is the highest profile structure. All sources pertaining to the building materials and design of this monument are essential. But to make any authoritative statements, the researchers need data on its current condition. To do that, engineers must first do a detailed survey and gather photographs of the structure. Works on the site must locate all existing fissures, this will help determine if any new damage has been caused later. In addition, the images provide the necessary data for a three-dimensional computer simulation. To this end, each part of the edifice is photographed multiple times from various perspectives. These images can be used to make an exact computer re-creation of the Colosseum. The different colors denote different building materials of varying elasticity. Antique builders were masters of their trade as well.
GIORGIO GROCI: "In the worst case scenario gaps might arise in some seams, no huge cracks, but fissures and some minor shifting. The fourth storey is at particular risk; the seams there could open wider and that could lead to hairline fractures."
NARRATOR: So the Colosseum will continue to stand as a testament to Rome's past.
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