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Coordinates: 51°0′39.86″N 4°27′47.40″E / 51.0110722°N 4.4631667°E / 51.0110722; 4.4631667 (Telecommunications and Water Tower in Mechelen-Zuid (southern industrial park))
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If not English (???, talk?), it's not a geographical lie + When inverting sentences, continue reading: wrong tower [incidentally also links estate/park better] + Word order: specification+ind.park + Style lead: metres (else xx m, never xxm) + More!
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{{Coord|51|0|39.95|N|4|27|47.14|E|type:landmark|display=title|name=Mechelen Telecommunication and water tower}}
{{Coord|51|3|33.85|N|4|27|27.30|E|type:landmark|display=title|name=Walem Water Tower adjacent to Mechelen-Noord (northern industrial estate)}}<!--51.059403|4.457582-->
{{Coord|51|0|39.86|N|4|27|47.40|E|type:landmark|display=title|name=Telecommunications and Water Tower in Mechelen-Zuid (southern industrial park)}}<!--51.011073,4.463168-->
[[File:Watertoren Mechelen-Zuid.jpg|thumb|The telecommunications and water tower (2010)]]
[[File:Watertoren Mechelen-Zuid.jpg|thumb|The telecommunications and water tower<!-- (in 2010)-->]]


The '''Mechelen-Zuid Water Tower''' stands 143 metres tall, and since 1979 supplies water to the city of [[Mechelen]], while hosting television and telecommunications antennas. The concrete spire shape runs through a wide disc holding water fifty metres above ground, and at twice that height passes a smaller one that supports telecommunications transmission equipment. Topped by a decorative stainless steel tube of thirteen metres, it is claimed to be the highest water tower in the world.<ref
The '''Mechelen-Zuid Water Tower''' stands 143 metres tall, and since 1979 supplies water to the city of [[Mechelen]], while hosting television and telecommunications aerials. The concrete spire shape runs through a wide disc holding water fifty metres above ground, and at twice that height passes a smaller one that supports telecommunications capturing equipment. Topped by a decorative stainless steel tube of twenty metres, it is claimed to be the highest water tower in the world.<ref
name=worldstallest>{{Cite journal
name="Cement-abstract">{{Citation
|url=http://www.baufachinformation.de/zeitschriftenartikel.jsp?z=1980099060019
|title=Wasser- und Sendeturm in Mechelen: <small>Mortelmans, F. (1980), "Water- en antennetoren te Mechelen. Beschrijving van het ontwerp en uitvoeringstechniek" (in Dutch), Cement (Æneas, Uitgeverij van vakinformatie bv, Boxtel, Netherlands) 32 (3): 109–115, ISSN 0008-8811</small>
|type=Abstract
|language=German
|publisher=IRB-Bibliothek, [http://www.baufachinformation.de/impressum.jsp?local=de Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V]
⚫
|accessdate=2011-08-30
⚫
}}</ref><ref
name="worldstallest">{{Citation
|url=http://issuu.com/natuurpunt/docs/plantaardigenieuwsbrief201001/search?q=Stadsflora%20Mechelen-Zuid
|url=http://issuu.com/natuurpunt/docs/plantaardigenieuwsbrief201001/search?q=Stadsflora%20Mechelen-Zuid
|title=Stadsflora Mechelen-Zuid
|title=Stadsflora Mechelen-Zuid
|page=26
|page=26
|language-Dutch
|language=Dutch
|journal=Plantaardige Nieuwsbrief
|journal=Plantaardige Nieuwsbrief
|year= 2010
|year=2010
|issue= 1
|issue=1
⚫
|pages=60
|publisher=[http://www.natuurpunt.be/nl/vereniging_6.aspx Natuurpunt vzw], Belgium
|publisher=[http://www.natuurpunt.be/nl/vereniging_6.aspx Natuurpunt vzw], Belgium
|accessdate=29 August 2011
|accessdate=2011-08-29
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


The tower is located in the [[industrial estate|industrial park]] ''Mechelen-Zuid''; a 55m toadstool shaped water tower by the same designer is located at the ''Mechelen-Noord'' industrial estate in [[Walem]].<ref>{{citation
The toadstool shape of the 55 metres high water tower in [[Walem]] was already at the ''Mechelen-Noord'' [[industrial park|industrial estate]] when the towering needle became erected on the ''Mechelen-Zuid'' industrial park.<ref
⚫
name="ExpoMortelmans"/><ref
⚫
group="map">{{Coord|51.059403|4.457582|type:landmark|display=inline}}
Mechelen-Noord Water Tower (55 m)</ref><ref
name=""bbmMN>{{Citation
|url=http://www.beeldbankmechelen.be/index.php?option=com_memorix&task=result&searchplugin=eenvoudig&Itemid=53
|url=http://www.beeldbankmechelen.be/index.php?option=com_memorix&task=result&searchplugin=eenvoudig&Itemid=53
|title=Industriepark Mechelen Noord
|title=Industriepark Mechelen Noord
Line 23: Line 35:
|publisher=Erfgoedcel Mechelen
|publisher=Erfgoedcel Mechelen
}}</ref><ref
}}</ref><ref
group="map">{{coord|51.011073|4.463168|type:landmark|display=inline}}
⚫
name="ExpoMortelmans"/><ref
Mechelen-Zuid Water Tower (143 m)</ref>
⚫
group="map">{{coord|51.059509|4.457521|type:landmark|display=inline}} Mechelen-Zuid Watertoren</ref>


==History, design and construction==
==Planning, design and construction==
The water tower was built to supply an increased demand for water due to growth of the Mechlinian population, and of industry to the north and to the south of the city proper. In March 1977, the City commissioned a design from Fernand Mortelmans ([[University of Leuven]]) who had been involved with the water tower of Walem, and construction at an estimated cost of 85&nbsp;million [[Belgian franc]]s took place during 1978.<ref
The water tower was built to supply an increased demand for water due to growth of the Mechlinian population, and of industry to the north and to the south of the city proper. In March 1977, the City commissioned a design from the local engineering study office ITH and Professor Fernand Mortelmans ([[University of Leuven]]) who had been involved with the water tower of Walem, and construction at an estimated cost of 85&nbsp;million [[Belgian franc]]s took place during 1978.<ref
name="ExpoMortelmans">{{Citation
name="ExpoMortelmans">{{Citation
|url=http://eng.kuleuven.be/geniaal/GENIAALjg1nr2.pdf
|url=http://eng.kuleuven.be/geniaal/GENIAALjg1nr2.pdf
Line 34: Line 46:
|periodical=Geniaal
|periodical=Geniaal
|issue=2
|issue=2
⚫
|pages=2–3
|publisher=Faculty of Engineering Sciences & VILv, [[Katholieke Universiteit Leuven]]
|publisher=Faculty of Engineering Sciences & VILv, [[Katholieke Universiteit Leuven]]
|publication-date=July 2008
|publication-date=2008-07
|language=Dutch
⚫
|accessdate=29 August 2011
|accessdate=2011-08-29
}}</ref><ref
}}</ref><ref
name="vsl_1">{{citation
name="vsl_1">{{Citation
|url=http://www.vsl-sg.com/proj_ref/mechelen_tower.pdf
|url=http://www.vsl-sg.com/proj_ref/mechelen_tower.pdf
|title=Water and Telecommunication Tower Mechelen, Belgium
|title=Water and Telecommunication Tower Mechelen, Belgium
|work=www.vsl-sg.com
|work=www.vsl-sg.com
|date=January 1979
|date=1979-01
|publisher=Vorspann System Losinger (VSL) International
|publisher=Vorspann System Losinger (VSL) International
|accessdate=2011-08-30
}}<br />{{citation
}}<br />{{Citation
|url=http://www.vsl.net/Portals/0/vsl_techreports/PT_Concrete_Storage_Structures.pdf
|url=http://www.vsl.net/Portals/0/vsl_techreports/PT_Concrete_Storage_Structures.pdf
|title=Concrete Storage Structures
|title=Concrete Storage Structures
|date=May 1983
|date=1983-05
|publisher=VSL International Ltd.
|publisher=VSL International Ltd.
|chapter=2.2.4. Water and Telecommunications Tower Mechelen, Belgium
|chapter=2.2.4. Water and Telecommunications Tower Mechelen, Belgium
|page=14–16
|pages=14–16
|accessdate=2011-08-30
⚫
|}}</ref>
}}</ref>


The circular foundation is formed by 127 piles supporting an up to 3 m thick concrete slab of 19.60 m in diameter. On the centre rests a 120 m high conical hollow shaft of reinforced concrete. From the 9.20 m wide base nearly 3 m beneath ground level, the 0.65 m thick wall rises to about 44 m where the shaft funnels outward by increasing concrete thickness to 1.84 m at which point, about 53 m high, a cylindrical ring beam allows suspension of the water tank, a shallow biconical structure of about 40 m in diameter. On top of this container with 2,500 m<sup>3</sup> capacity, the shaft's side is 0.50 m thick, diminishing to 0.20 m at 116 m, upwards remaining constant until reaching the smallest diameter of 3.40 m at the top, on which a steel peak completes the 143.1 m tower.<ref name="vsl_1" /><!--former versions: "diminishing to 0.20 m at 136 m". A 120 m high shaft that continues even above 136 m ??? If the steel tube is (about) 20 m (? one source checked) and the total height 143.1 m, then 123 m comes almost close to the 120; as the upper disk is at 100 or 110 m (both were read), 116 instead of 136 appears reasonable (along about 10-16 metres above the small disc, the shaft might offer support for aerials and the 4 meters of even thickness might serve the steel peak). Sources still need to be checked properly.-->
The tower consists of a 120 m high conical reinforced concrete hollow shaft (9.20 m at the base, 3.40 m at the top). The water holder (2,500 m<sup>3</sup> capacity is at approximately 50 m above ground level: it is a shallow biconic structure of about 40 m in diameter. The supporting shaft is 0.65 m thick to the level of the water tank, at the water tank level the thickness is increased to 1.84 m at which point there is a cylindrical ring beam from which the water tank is suspended. Above the water tank the column thickness is 0.50 m thick, diminishing to 0.20 m at 136 m, above which the thickness is constant 0.20 m.<ref name="vsl_1" />


The tower foundation is a 19.60 m diameter, 3 m maximum thickness circular concrete slab supported by 127 piles. The water tank is subdivided into sixteen [[Circular sector|sectors]] by 0.35 m thick walls which provide stiffenning. The 0.30 m thick bottom surface is at 17° to the horizontal, the top surface is shallower.<ref name="vsl_1" />
The water tank is subdivided into sixteen [[Circular sector|sectors]] by 0.35 m thick walls to provide stiffness. The 0.30 m thick bottom surface is at 17° to the horizontal, the top surface is shallower.<ref name="vsl_1" />


The main body of the supporting column was constructed by [[Slipform|slipforming]], the water tank was constructed at ground level, and raised into its final position by cables: once in position the lifting cables were used to support the tank body from the ring beam on the shaft, being tensioned within concrete columns. Finally the base of the tank was concreted to the tower shaft.<ref name="vsl_1" />
The main body of the supporting shaft was constructed by [[slip forming]]. Around the shaft, the water tank was constructed at ground level, and raised into its final position by cables: once in position the lifting cables were used to support the tank body from the ring beam on the shaft, being tensioned within concrete columns. Finally the base of the tank was concreted to the tower shaft.<ref name="vsl_1" />


==Exploitation==
⚫
A 10 m diameter platform at about 100 m supports the television transmission equipment, other telecommunications equipment ([[Parabolic antenna]]s) was positioned above the water tank.<ref name="vsl_1" />
===Water===

===Telecommunications===
⚫
A 10 m diameter platform at about 100 m supports the capturing equipment for cable TV distribution, other telecommunications equipment ([[Parabolic antenna]]s for radio, telegraph and telephone relay) was positioned above the water tank. A perception as broadcasting tower is false.<ref name="vsl_1" /><ref
group="Note">Even respectable sources contributed to a misinterpreted purpose of the tower's aerials. E.g.: The [http://www.baufachinformation.de/impressum.jsp?local=de Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft] published [http://www.baufachinformation.de/zeitschriftenartikel.jsp?z=1980099060019 an abstract of an article in ''Cement''], ''Water- en antennetoren te Mechelen'' ('Water and antenna tower at Mechelen'), erroneously translating the Dutch into German as ''Wasser- und Sendeturm in Mechelen'' ('Water and broadcast tower at Mechelen').</ref>
====Television & radio====
The tower's original [[VHF]]/[[UHF]] television signal reception antennas mainly replaced those disgracing the top of another city property, the 97 m high [[St. Rumbold's Cathedral#Tower|St. Rumbold's Tower]].

====Telephone & telegraph====

==See also==
*[[Radio masts and towers]]

⚫
==External links==
*{{Citation
|url=http://www.cementonline.nl/archief/cement-1980-047-3/water-en-antennetoren-te-mechelen.17984.lynkx?page=7&favorite=added
|title=Water- en antennetoren te Mechelen. Beschrijving van het ontwerp en uitvoeringstechniek
|language=Dutch
|author=Mortelmans, F.
|periodical=Cement<!--1980 Jg. 32, Nr. 3, Pg. 109-115, Abb.,Lit.-->
|year=1980
|volume=XXXII
|issue=3
|pages=109–115
|publisher=[http://www.aeneas.nl/over-aeneas.7545.lynkx Æneas, Uitgeverij van vakinformatie bv], Boxtel, Netherlands
|ISSN=0008-8811
}} ''Payable, though occasionally freely available: [http://www.cementonline.nl/archief/cement-1980-047-3/water-en-antennetoren-te-mechelen.17984.lynkx?page=5 p. 5], [http://www.cementonline.nl/archief/cement-1980-047-3/water-en-antennetoren-te-mechelen.17984.lynkx?page=6 p. 6], [http://www.cementonline.nl/archief/cement-1980-047-3/water-en-antennetoren-te-mechelen.17984.lynkx?page=7 p. 7]''

==Footnote==
{{reflist|group="Note"}}


==References==
==References==
===Bibliography===
*{{Citation
|url=http://inventaris.vioe.be/dibe/relict/88694
|title=Watertoren ontworpen door F. Mortelmans (ID: 88694)
|work=De Inventaris van het Bouwkundig Erfgoed
|language=Dutch
|publisher=Vlaams Instituut voor het Onroerend Erfgoed ([http://inventaris.vioe.be VIOE])
|accessdate=2011-08-30
}}
===Inline indices===
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
===Maps===
===Maps===
{{reflist|group="map"}}
{{reflist|group="map"}}
⚫
==External links==
*{{citation|url = http://inventaris.vioe.be/dibe/relict/88694| work = inventaris.voie.be|title = Watertoren (ID: 88694)|language = dutch|publisher = [[Vlaams Instituut voor het Onroerend Erfgoed]]|}}
*{{citation|journal= Cement| year=1980| volume=XXXII| issue=3|author= F. Mortelmans| pages = 109-115|language=dutch| title = Water- en antennetoren te Mechelen}}


[[Category:Water towers]]
[[Category:Water towers]]

Revision as of 12:09, 30 August 2011

51°3′33.85″N 4°27′27.30″E / 51.0594028°N 4.4575833°E / 51.0594028; 4.4575833 (Walem Water Tower adjacent to Mechelen-Noord (northern industrial estate)) 51°0′39.86″N 4°27′47.40″E / 51.0110722°N 4.4631667°E / 51.0110722; 4.4631667 (Telecommunications and Water Tower in Mechelen-Zuid (southern industrial park)){{#coordinates:}}: cannot have more than one primary tag per page

The telecommunications and water tower

The Mechelen-Zuid Water Tower stands 143 metres tall, and since 1979 supplies water to the city of Mechelen, while hosting television and telecommunications aerials. The concrete spire shape runs through a wide disc holding water fifty metres above ground, and at twice that height passes a smaller one that supports telecommunications capturing equipment. Topped by a decorative stainless steel tube of twenty metres, it is claimed to be the highest water tower in the world.[1][2]

The toadstool shape of the 55 metres high water tower in Walem was already at the Mechelen-Noord industrial estate when the towering needle became erected on the Mechelen-Zuid industrial park.[3][map 1]Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).[map 2]

Planning, design and construction

The water tower was built to supply an increased demand for water due to growth of the Mechlinian population, and of industry to the north and to the south of the city proper. In March 1977, the City commissioned a design from the local engineering study office ITH and Professor Fernand Mortelmans (University of Leuven) who had been involved with the water tower of Walem, and construction at an estimated cost of 85 million Belgian francs took place during 1978.[3][4]

The circular foundation is formed by 127 piles supporting an up to 3 m thick concrete slab of 19.60 m in diameter. On the centre rests a 120 m high conical hollow shaft of reinforced concrete. From the 9.20 m wide base nearly 3 m beneath ground level, the 0.65 m thick wall rises to about 44 m where the shaft funnels outward by increasing concrete thickness to 1.84 m at which point, about 53 m high, a cylindrical ring beam allows suspension of the water tank, a shallow biconical structure of about 40 m in diameter. On top of this container with 2,500 m3 capacity, the shaft's side is 0.50 m thick, diminishing to 0.20 m at 116 m, upwards remaining constant until reaching the smallest diameter of 3.40 m at the top, on which a steel peak completes the 143.1 m tower.[4]

The water tank is subdivided into sixteen sectors by 0.35 m thick walls to provide stiffness. The 0.30 m thick bottom surface is at 17° to the horizontal, the top surface is shallower.[4]

The main body of the supporting shaft was constructed by slip forming. Around the shaft, the water tank was constructed at ground level, and raised into its final position by cables: once in position the lifting cables were used to support the tank body from the ring beam on the shaft, being tensioned within concrete columns. Finally the base of the tank was concreted to the tower shaft.[4]

Exploitation

Water

Telecommunications

A 10 m diameter platform at about 100 m supports the capturing equipment for cable TV distribution, other telecommunications equipment (Parabolic antennas for radio, telegraph and telephone relay) was positioned above the water tank. A perception as broadcasting tower is false.[4][Note 1]

Television & radio

The tower's original VHF/UHF television signal reception antennas mainly replaced those disgracing the top of another city property, the 97 m high St. Rumbold's Tower.

Telephone & telegraph

See also

  • Mortelmans, F. (1980), "Water- en antennetoren te Mechelen. Beschrijving van het ontwerp en uitvoeringstechniek", Cement (in Dutch), vol. XXXII, no. 3, Æneas, Uitgeverij van vakinformatie bv, Boxtel, Netherlands, pp. 109–115, ISSN 0008-8811 {{citation}}: External link in |publisher= (help) Payable, though occasionally freely available: p. 5, p. 6, p. 7

Footnote

  1. ^ Even respectable sources contributed to a misinterpreted purpose of the tower's aerials. E.g.: The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft published an abstract of an article in Cement, Water- en antennetoren te Mechelen ('Water and antenna tower at Mechelen'), erroneously translating the Dutch into German as Wasser- und Sendeturm in Mechelen ('Water and broadcast tower at Mechelen').

References

Bibliography

Inline indices

  1. ^ Wasser- und Sendeturm in Mechelen: Mortelmans, F. (1980), "Water- en antennetoren te Mechelen. Beschrijving van het ontwerp en uitvoeringstechniek" (in Dutch), Cement (Æneas, Uitgeverij van vakinformatie bv, Boxtel, Netherlands) 32 (3): 109–115, ISSN 0008-8811 (Abstract) (in German), IRB-Bibliothek, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V, retrieved 2011-08-30 {{citation}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ "Stadsflora Mechelen-Zuid", Plantaardige Nieuwsbrief (in Dutch) (1), Natuurpunt vzw, Belgium: 26, 2010, retrieved 2011-08-29 {{citation}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b De Borger, Jelle (2008-07), "'We leefden toen in een zeer interessante en boeiende periode' dixit Fernand Mortlmans" (PDF), Geniaal (in Dutch), no. 2, Faculty of Engineering Sciences & VILv, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, pp. 2–3, retrieved 2011-08-29 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |publication-date= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e "Water and Telecommunication Tower Mechelen, Belgium" (PDF), www.vsl-sg.com, Vorspann System Losinger (VSL) International, 1979-01, retrieved 2011-08-30 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
    "2.2.4. Water and Telecommunications Tower Mechelen, Belgium", Concrete Storage Structures (PDF), VSL International Ltd., 1983-05, pp. 14–16, retrieved 2011-08-30 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

Maps

  1. ^ 51°03′34″N 4°27′27″E / 51.059403°N 4.457582°E / 51.059403; 4.457582 Mechelen-Noord Water Tower (55 m)
  2. ^ 51°00′40″N 4°27′47″E / 51.011073°N 4.463168°E / 51.011073; 4.463168 Mechelen-Zuid Water Tower (143 m)
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