The Static Safety of Masonry Towers

The article proposes that, subject to certain qualifying assumptions, the measured first flexural eigenfrequency of a masonry tower can be related to its safety. In fact, its variations in time may be related to variations in the ratio between ultimate compressive strength and dead-weight compressive stresses at the base of a tower. Suggestions are made for taking into account shape factors, such as tapering of sections along the vertical, and examples of application to actual towers are provided.