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Burbank California Warner Brothers water tower 2022 01
The Warner Brothers Studios water tower marks the southern extent of North Hollywood Way in beautiful downtown Burbank.
Water towers were popular in California before earthquakes were recognized as a regular occurrence. They're very cool for creating hydraulic head: the weight of the water in the tank keeps pipes attached to it filled with water under pressure. The tower pressurizes water at 4.3 pounds per square inch for every ten feet of height (9.8 kPa per meter). Power failures don't affect pressure unless the tank runs dry.
Water in the tank exerts a static load on the tower legs. It presses straight down because of gravity. In an earthquake, a dynamic (varying) load is applied to the water tower legs. Depending on the frequency of ground motion, and whether or not the water sloshes around in the tank, the tower legs can experience more weight than they are designed to carry. In an earthquake, I try not to stand underneath one of these things.
This water tower may be empty.
I'm not the civil or mechanical engineering expert. Your corrections and comments are welcomed.
Journalism grade image.
Source: 1,200x2,700 16-bit TIF file.
Please do not copy this image for any purpose.
Burbank California Warner Brothers water tower 2022 01
The Warner Brothers Studios water tower marks the southern extent of North Hollywood Way in beautiful downtown Burbank.
Water towers were popular in California before earthquakes were recognized as a regular occurrence. They're very cool for creating hydraulic head: the weight of the water in the tank keeps pipes attached to it filled with water under pressure. The tower pressurizes water at 4.3 pounds per square inch for every ten feet of height (9.8 kPa per meter). Power failures don't affect pressure unless the tank runs dry.
Water in the tank exerts a static load on the tower legs. It presses straight down because of gravity. In an earthquake, a dynamic (varying) load is applied to the water tower legs. Depending on the frequency of ground motion, and whether or not the water sloshes around in the tank, the tower legs can experience more weight than they are designed to carry. In an earthquake, I try not to stand underneath one of these things.
This water tower may be empty.
I'm not the civil or mechanical engineering expert. Your corrections and comments are welcomed.
Journalism grade image.
Source: 1,200x2,700 16-bit TIF file.
Please do not copy this image for any purpose.