Abandoned Shukhov Tower on the Oka River, Dzerzhinsk (Russia) – HDRI
Shukhov Tower on the Oka River (Dzerzhinsk High-Voltage Mast) is the world's only surviving hyperboloid electricity pylon. It is located in Russia, in the western suburbs of Nizhny Novgorod, on the left bank of the Oka River near Dzerzhinsk.
History
The Shukhov Tower was a part of a 110kV powerline crossing the Oka River. Between 1927 and 1929, two parallel-running, 110kV, three-phase AC powerlines designed by Russian engineer and scientist Vladimir Shukhov were built there. For the Oka River crossing, six hyperbolic pylons (three for each powerline) were built, a 20 metre tall anchor pylon, a 68 metre tall crossing pylon on the South shore and a 128 metre tall crossing pylon on the North shore. As the terrain on the South shore is hilly, the pylons there were lower.
In 1989 the powerline was rerouted and the 20 and 68 metre pylons were dismantled. The 128 metre pylons were left intact as a monument. Today, only one of the 128 metre pylons stands as the other was illegally demolished to sell its steel in May 2005.
Structure
The Shukhov Tower consists of five 25-metre steel lattice sections, formed by single-cavity hyperboloids of revolution. The pylon sections are made of straight profiles, the ends of which rest against circular foundations. The tower's circular concrete foundation has a diameter of 30 metres.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shukhov_tower_on_the_Oka_River
Thursday, June 4th, 2009 | Abandoned Places & Urban Exploration