Author(s)

J.M. Wilson, A.R. Selby & S.E. Ross

Abstract

. When bells are rung to the English system they are swung full-circle through 360° from the mouth-up position. A body which is constrained to move around the arc of a circle experiences acceleration, and so a swinging bell imparts considerable force on to the bell frame and thence to the tower. This causes the tower to respond dynamically, primarily in swaying motion. The bell forces can be estimated from relatively simple measurements, and the motion of the tower can then be estimated computationally, using finite element methods. Three church towers in Northern England have been studied, and additionally, the dynamic movements of the towers have been measured for comparison with computed values. Introduction The traditional English church is of masonry construction and has a cruciform plan. A tower, sometimes surmounted by a spire,

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