Fonte, G C A (2011) Energy management reduces Great Pyramid build effort by more than 98%. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 137(12), pp. 1195-1204. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
The general consensus of most archaeologists is that approximately 25,000 workers labored for 23years to build the Great Pyramid in Egypt at Giza. However, by examining the mysterious tools and other clues left behind, it is found that the Egyptians were masters of energy management and that the 25,000-worker build time could be reduced to only 138.6days (using very conservative calculations). More realistically, and matching evidence found at the pyramid site, approximately 4,000 workers were probably used, and they took 4-6 calendar years at a fairly leisurely pace. This is on the basis of archaeological evidence, standard engineering principles, and ingenuity. Management of energy of assembly is a critical issue in the efficient construction of large structures. The principles used in ancient times are still applicable today. It is assumed that the Egyptians were smart people and that they were capable of employing the technology that they are known to have possessed in a creative and resourceful manner.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | catenary; energy management; great pyramid; lift lever; lifting machine; quarter-circle; spear chisel |
| Index terms: | Egypt, energy management, critical issue, evidence, lifting |
| Subjects: | occupational health and safety management, Geography, sustainability and energy, evaluation and assessment methods, risk assessment |
| Topics: | Geographical Context, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here