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埃菲尔铁塔及其历史演变

作者: 日期:2009-3-7 12:47:34
The Eiffel Tower, symbol of innovative(革新的) technique at the end of the 19th century, has maintained its universal (全世界的) image. Even if 6 million visitors climb the Tower each year, the number of those who have set eyes on the Tower but never foot coupled1 with those who know of the Tower but have never even caught a glimpse of the monument2 are far more numerous.

　　Its simplified representation(表现) is but an inanimate(无生气的) object, an unchanging reference3 point. Yet, differing from many other structures built in the past,it is alive,ever changing and evolving.The most spectacular4 transformations(变化) are also those that are the most visible:it has changed color six times in its lifetime and its lighting effects have been designed at different moments to decorate the tower for a day or for longer periods of time. Following many different lighting styles, the present day system has been highlighting5 the internal structure of the Tower for more than ten years now.

　　Less spectacular yet visible are the developments that have been added to the different levels such as the various pavilions (亭子)and constructions on the first and second floors. Also the roofing of the galleries(走廊) and shelters(休息处) providing refuge6 from bad weather conditions including the landing stages7, covered walkways, etc., as well as the numerous technical and service quarters8andthe spaces located directly over or under these levels.The elevator and staircases(楼梯)--construction or replacement of--and the elevator platform9 could also fall into this same category10 of developments,except in cases where they have become integrated parts of the structure. Much less visible are the operations that have modified11 the original Tower's structure.

　　Indeed, at different periods in time, even the skeleton12 structure evolved,either little by little as the necessity arose or to reinforce certain structural members(构件) that were damaged by various causes. In the descriptive (说明的) book "The 300 meter tower" Gustave Eiffel gave precise indications concerning his calcuilations, how many were used and detailed observation(观察) notes.
　　
　　注释：
　　1． couple vt．结合
　　2． monumentn．不朽的作品，纪念碑式的作品
　　3． referenceadj．基准的，可作基准的
　　4． spectacularadj. 壮观的，壮丽的
　　5． highlight vt．照亮，以强光照射
　　6． refuge n．庇护，避难
　　7． landing stage 码头
　　8． quartern．区，地区
　　9． platform n．台，平台
　　10． category n. 种类，类
　　11． modify vt．改造，修改，更改
　　12． skeleton n．骨架，框架
　　
　　作为19世纪末技术创新的象征，埃菲尔铁塔一直保持了其全球性景观的地位。每年攀登这座铁塔的游客达600万之多，而那些仅仅观看了该塔但没有攀登的人数，再加上那些听说过该塔但从未看见过它的人数就非常巨大了。

　　它那简洁的外观设计使它看上去也就是一个没有生气的物体，一个永远不变的基准点。尽管如此，与众多在它以前所建造的建筑有所不同的是，它又是那样栩栩如生、变化多端，并处于不断的演进之中。最引人注目的变化也就是那些最易看见的东西：自建造以来，铁塔的颜色已变换了6次，灯光效果被设计成随时间而变化，以展示铁塔在一天或更长时段内的不同装饰效果。塔内灯光具备多种不同的风格，目前铁塔内照明的灯光系统已经使用了10多年。

　　那些不太显著但仍能看到的进展就是在塔的不同层面添加的东西，如在铁塔第一、二层中风格多样的亭子及其他建筑；为走廊和休息点加上顶盖，以供游人躲避恶劣天气，包括供游人小憩的场所和加盖的人行道等；数量众多的技术和服务处及位于这些楼层上、下方的各种场地。新建或新换的电梯、楼梯以及电梯平台也可算作铁塔的发展变化，除非在某些地方这些东西已经成为铁塔整体不可分割的一部分。而更不易为人所看见的进展则是对铁塔原有结构的改造。

　　事实上在不同时期，甚至是铁塔的基础结构也发生了变化，要么是出于需要一点一点改变，要么是加固某些因不同原因受损的构件。在古斯塔夫·埃菲尔的说明书《300米高塔》中，他按照自己的计算给出了有关铁塔未来演变的精确预测，其中不少预测是得到了验证且有很详细的观察记录。