A famous coastal city in the state of São Paulo is home to more than 300 buildings that defy the laws of gravity, forming what is called the “Brazilian Pisa”.
These inclined structures, including the famous “Bar do Torto”, are a unique attraction that surprises visitors. But what makes these buildings so inclined and, at the same time, safe?
see more
3 'fake news' about Alzheimer's that ALMOST EVERYONE…
Student leaves teacher 'scared' with a note left in...
For your information, we are talking about the famous port city of Santos, the place where Brazilian King Pelé recognized as the greatest football player of all time, he paraded his magic on the lawns of Vila Belmiro.
The mystery of Santos' crooked buildings began in the 1940s and 1950s, when the city underwent rapid urban growth along the seafront, resulting in the construction of large buildings.
However, it was only in the 1970s that these buildings began to sink, resulting in slopes of up to 120 centimeters.
The soil of Santos, composed of a layer of compact fine sand above a layer of soft clay, is the main culprit for this phenomenon, which is reminiscent of the famous Tower of Pisa, in Italy.
Santos' peculiar soil is mainly responsible for this unusual slope. The upper layer of compact fine sand is between 6 and 20 meters thick. It rests on a lower layer of soft clay, which can be up to 40 meters thick.
That geological setting It surprisingly resembles the situation of the famous Tower of Pisa, in Italy, which was also built on a layer of sand above another clay layer.
Additionally, buildings constructed at that time were designed with shallow foundations, a more financially affordable option.
However, these foundations were unable to withstand the soft soil beneath the sand layer, which led to the gradual sinking of the buildings.
The problem was exacerbated by the high density of nearby buildings, which placed additional pressure on the clay layer.
However, there is something even more intriguing in this equation. It turns out that, despite the notable inclinations, these structures do not pose a risk of collapsing, according to the Municipal Secretariat of Infrastructure and Buildings of Santos (Siedi).
The city hall carries out measurements every two years to assess the inclination of buildings and, if there is any risk, condominiums are responsible for carrying out the necessary works, under supervision municipal.
Some of these buildings have already undergone corrections, such as the Nuncio Malzoni building, with 17 floors, which was readjusted in 2000. However, others are still awaiting renovations.
Owners of apartments in sloping buildings need to save money to pay for correction works. In many cases, this has resulted in a surprising increase in the value of their properties.
The history of Santos' tilted buildings is a combination of geological challenges, urbanization accelerated and ingenious solutions that resulted in a unique and intriguing feature of the city coastal.
At Trezeme Digital, we understand the importance of effective communication. We know that every word matters, which is why we strive to deliver content that is relevant, engaging and personalized to meet your needs.
