Can Modern Structures Stand the Test of Time Like Monuments From 1000 Years Ago?

Broadly speaking, there are a few structures that could conceivably survive in some form for the next 1000 years with minimal to none maintenance and no cataclysm of existential proportions. These include the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the Arctic World Archive, the NORAD - Cheyenne Mountain Complex, the Suez Canal, the 3 Gorges Dam or other great dams, and the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste depository. While these may not be considered traditional monuments in the conventional sense, they serve as monuments of our time, representing the priorities and engineering feats of the present era.

Traditional Monuments and Engineering Marvels

When considering monuments made over 1000 years ago, traditional structures such as trabeate system Hindu temples, arch domes, and Mughal architecture using stone masonry are often highlighted. These structures were built with stonework and often lime mortar, a process that is both slow and incredibly expensive. Nowadays, concrete is the preferred material due to its speed and relative affordability. However, concrete is only designed to last about 70 years, making it challenging to build something that lasts 300-500 years.

Comparison Between Traditional and Modern Structures

Modern construction materials such as brick, concrete, and reinforced concrete (RCC) are more susceptible to weathering and erosion due to chemical actions. In contrast, ancient structures were primarily made of stones, withstanding thousands of years of natural wear and tear. Despite this, some monuments have degraded over time due to ongoing weathering actions. The design principles of ancient craftsmen, like their knowledge of interlocking stones, have also been lost.

The Science Behind Durability

Let's dive into the science behind the durability of these structures. Ancient masons and designers understood the intricacies of interlocking stones, ensuring that the walls remained intact. In contrast, modern structures are designed with a factor of safety (FoS) of around 2-3, guaranteed for 100 years, and may only last another 50 years with regular maintenance. The load-carrying capacity of the soil compared to the wall and columns results in a FoS of around 20, which means the structure is thick and balanced to withstand no shear, no moment, and no lateral forces except in extreme cases like earthquakes.

Designing for the Future

To achieve structures that can stand the test of time for 1000 years, a much higher factor of safety (FoS) of around 20 would be required. This means designing structures with a higher margin of safety that is both durable and sustainable. Innovations in material science and engineering can help achieve this, as can the incorporation of traditional knowledge and construction techniques.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while modern structures are rapidly evolving with advanced materials and technologies, the challenge remains to design and construct monuments that can withstand the millennia. By combining the lessons learned from the past and embracing innovative design principles, we can create structures that stand the test of time and serve as enduring monuments for future generations.