The Helix, Dublin City University

The Spire of Dublin, described as the largest monument in the world, is 120m tall, 3m diameter at the base tapering to a point at the pinnacle, and is fabricated from shot-peened stainless steel. The simplicity of the structural form belies the complexity of the engineering design. There are many interesting features in the design of this slender monument including the approach to material selection, wind engineering and vortex shedding, damping, fatigue and construction. This paper describes the design and construction of the Spire. Cormac P. Deavy, BE, CEng, MIStructE, FIEI, MICE Arup Andrew Allsop, MA(Cantab), MESc, CEng, MICE, FWES Arup Keith Jones, BEng, CEng, MIStructE Arup