The Eiffel Tower project

The Pylon

Let's have a look at the upper part of the Tower. Architecture slightly differs from the lower parts - the four "legs" grow together and form a pylon. The whole structure becomes more filigree. Furthermore we only have 12 Arbalétriers instead of 16, and the middle Arbalétriers unite, so on top there's only 8 of them.

You might as well notice that they become thinner: from 80 cm width to only 50 cm.

But that's not all: being squarish tubes up to Panneau 18 they change their shape to some angles resp T-shape from Panneau 19 on:

The Arbalétriers are braced by the well-known system of Entretoises and Treillis:

... fixed together by Goussets and Joints:

In the center we have two trusses forming a kind of elevator's rail which they called "Poteaux guides":

... and of course some spiral stairs leading to the top:

Lastly we have some inner structure supporting the whole Panneau:

So now let's have a look at the lower part of the pylon:

 

The mezzanine

Panneau 19 includes a mezzanine which they called "Plancher intermédiaire":

This was necessary because the elevators didn't serve the whole distance, so people had to change cabins here:

Of course due to modern elevator systems this isn't necessary anymore. But the mezzanine still exists (watching photos I think it was even enlarged and seems to carry some buildings nowadays; although AFAIK it's not possible to visit it. At least elevators don't stop there, and the stairs leading to the top aren't accessible to visitors. Might be used as a base for some service works).

 

The upper part:

Lastly let's have a look at the almost finished Tower:

 
 

 
 
 

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