EDF Energy London Eye – London
The London eye is a giant Ferris wheel situated at the south bank of the Thames River, London. The whole structure of the wheel is 443 feet tall and its diameter is 394 feet. It was erected in 1999 and was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, in 2006 its height was surpassed by the star of Nanchang which was 520 feet high then in 2008 Singapore flyer was erected which was 541 feet high and then with the erection of high roller the height of Singapore flyer was beaten. London eye is currently Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel which offers the highest viewing point in London. it is the most popular place for the tourist attraction , paid over 3.5 million annually. It has been supported by an A-frame on one side and the rim of the eye is supported by the tensioned steel cables and tough resembles a huge bicycle wheel. The lighting was redone with LED lights to provide a digital control of the lights. It was constructed in sections , lying flat on piled platforms in the river, after the completion of the wheel it was lifted up to an upright position by the help of a strand jack. There are 32 sealed and air- conditioned capsules attached to the external circumference of the wheel that rotates by an electric motor. Each capsule is 11 short ton and holds up to 25 people at a time who are free to walk inside it. The wheel rotates at 26cm per second and the revolution takes 30 minutes. The rotation rate is too slow so it does not usually stop to take passengers on.
