click on "back" or "next" to move through this section
main observatory page

After tightening the turnbuckles and applying several tons of force to the cables, the base of the vertical pier was encased in an additional block of cement about 5x5x4' in size.  Before pouring this block, a number of reinforcing rods were sunk into the preexisting base and the pier itself to maximize the strength of the system.  This additional block should increase pier stability and remove any "hinge" effect that might be present at the junction of the vertical pier and the pier base.  After each of the stabilization steps, an increase in stability was achieved which was monitored with dial indicators at the top of the pier which are explained on the next page.  The red arrows indicate three of the four stabilizing cables between the top of the cement block and the floor joists.