Despite weighing 10,100 tons, the Eiffel Tower exerts the same pressure on the ground as a person sitting in a chair.

Completed in 1889 for the Exposition Universelle, the Eiffel Tower is a masterpiece of structural engineering. The total weight of the tower is approximately 10,100 tons, with the iron framework itself accounting for about 7,300 tons. Despite this immense mass, the pressure exerted on its foundations is remarkably low at roughly 64 pounds per square inch (4.5 kg/cm²).This low pressure is achieved through four massive masonry foundations that distribute the load across a wide area. Each of the four pillars sits on a concrete block that measures 25 meters square and 4 meters thick. This design was essential because the tower is built on the Champ de Mars, where the soil is relatively soft due to its proximity to the Seine River.The tower's lattice design, composed of 18,038 individual iron parts joined by 2.5 million rivets, is incredibly efficient. If the iron from the tower were melted down and spread across its 125-meter base, the metal would only be 6 centimeters deep. This highlights how the structure is mostly air, which contributes to its light footprint relative to its height of 330 meters.Engineers often compare this to the 'chair analogy' because a standard dining chair concentrates a person's weight onto four small points. When calculated, the pressure per square inch of a seated adult is nearly identical to the pressure at the base of the Eiffel Tower. This engineering feat ensures the monument remains stable even during high winds and temperature fluctuations.