Title: Stress analysis of the Archduke Carl monument in Vienna

Authors: F.G. Rammerstorfer, K. Scharf, K.L. Maurer, F.D. Fischer

Addresses: Institute of Lightweight Structures and Aerospace Engineering (ILFB), Vienna Technical University, Gusshausstrasse 27, A-1040 Vienna, Austria. ' Institute of Lightweight Structures and Aerospace Engineering (ILFB), Vienna Technical University, Gusshausstrasse 27, A-1040 Vienna, Austria. ' Institute of Material Science and Material Testing, University of Mining and Metallurgy, A-8700 Leoben, Austria. ' Institute of Mechanics, University of Mining and Metallurgy, A-8700 Leoben, Austria

Abstract: The Archduke Carl Monument at the Heldenplatz in Vienna is a peculiarity among large cast bronze equestrian figures in that it rests on only the two hind legs of the horse without being supported additionally by the horse|s tail. This fact was one reason for the celebrity of A.D. Fernkorn, the artist who built the monument. To answer the open question of how Fernkorn solved this statics problem and to estimate the safety of the statue under dead load and extreme wind loading, a comprehensive scientific examination was carried out, including ultrasonic, endoscopic and high energy X-ray examinations, metallographic investigations and photogrammetric surveys, as well as detailed stress analyses by finite elements.

Keywords: computational mechanics; computer graphics; finite element analysis; FEA; interdisciplinary cooperation; metallography; photogrammetry; bronze monuments; Archduke Carl Monument; Austria; statics; stress analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.1992.062594

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 1992 Vol.5 No.2/3/4, pp.100 - 108

Published online: 10 Jun 2014 *

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