Diagnosis of the Leaching Tower at the Santa Laura Saltpeter works in Chile. A world Heritage
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3989/ic.14.101Keywords:
Saltpeter, wood, inspection, seismic eventAbstract
The Santa Laura Saltpeter Work, which is nowadays the place where the most complete industrial infrastructure of the nitrate processing period is maintained, has a Leaching Tower that is considered by its uniqueness, the icon of the former nitrate industry in Chile. This impressive structure, built mostly in Oregon Pine wood (Pseudotsuga menziesii) with metal junctions, unfortunately bears, after the plant stopped producing nitrate and iodine, the impact of its productive past and subsequent human actions because of neglect and lack of maintenance. This report, based on a visual, instrumental and structural inspection, is a diagnosis of the current condition of the building. The results indicate that the elements of the structure, with some exceptions, are in good condition and without changes in their mechanical properties. Structural analysis determined that the plant behavior is favorable, being able to withstand a seismic event of importance.
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