Schwerbelastungskörper, Concrete test structure in Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Germany
Description
Schwerbelastungskörper is a massive cylindrical construction of reinforced concrete in Tempelhof-Schöneberg, rising 18 meters above ground with a diameter of 21 meters. The structure extends another 18 meters below ground level and weighs approximately 12,000 tons, making it one of Berlin's heaviest constructions.
History
Albert Speer commissioned the construction in 1941 to test the load-bearing capacity of Berlin's sandy soil for planned monumental buildings. The experiment showed that the ground was unsuitable for the intended dimensions of Germania architecture, as the settling exceeded tolerable limits.
Culture
The concrete cylinder takes its name from its purpose: testing maximum ground load. Today it stands as a silent witness to failed megalomaniac projects from the Nazi era and is occasionally photographed by visitors who find its plain, massive form striking.
Practical
The memorial site is located on General-Pape-Straße 100 and offers guided tours every Sunday at 3 PM. The grounds are open Tuesday through Sunday between 1 PM and 6 PM, with the exterior visible from the street at any time.
Did you know?
Workers from France who were forced into labor during the war built the massive cylinder. Despite its enormous weight, the structure settled only 19 centimeters after completion, which pointed to the limited stability of the ground.
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