There were likely, never any ramps running inside or outside on the faces of the Pyramids. They would be unproductive, labor intensive, and unnecessary in the construction of the Pyramid.
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According to Franz Löhner, and his associates, you only need 50 men (per average size stone) to lift and pull it up the 51.5 degree face. His research was extensive.
[www.cheops-pyramide.ch]
Here I will add a few additional insights, and facts.
The distance using a spiral ramp system, inside or out, wrapping around the Pyramid would equal approximately 83% of a mile (4,380.89ft.) and/or (1.335k) kilometers. (One mile = 5280ft. or 1.6k) The face of this Pyramid, in surface length, is approximately 612 ft. or .186 kilometers, from bottom to top. 4,380 spiral footage length, div. by 612 ft. face surface length = 7.158. The face length is 14% of the spiral ramp theory. Basically, a little more than 7... (7.143) times as short in distance. This is based on a 5.7 grade degree angle, as proposed by the ramp Spiral enthusiast's.
For fact checkers, here are the measurements of the 22 spiral angle's ascending to the top. I use Sketchup in 3D, (to size) for my results. Those 22 angles measure: 689.03', 591.93',508.49',436.81', 374.72', 321.13', 257.86', 236.98', 192.23', 142.73', 122.61', 105.33', 90.48', 77.72', 57.03', 47.98', 37.88', 24.09', 20.69', 17.78', 15.27', & 13.12'.
The Pyramid face = 51.3 degrees, which is 9 times the spiral angle of 5.7 degrees. In that spiral proposal they use 8 men to transverse upwards. 8 men X 9 ( difference in angle) = 72 men. Franz Löhner calculated only 50 men need to perform one single pull. Additionally, with the ramp concept, if one group stops for any reason, the entire production line would likely grind to a halt.
By pulling the stones directly up the Pyramid face, you save on men required, as well as, the time required to reach a working level. The ramp theory, is more limited as to how many men can fit on the ramps. Using the straight method, the men could be standing on top utilizing all four sides, and/or, down at the base. You only need 1/7th the men to accomplish the equivalent work, in 1/7th the amount of time.
Consider, it only required 100 men, alternately pulling the 2 stones directly up the Pyramids face. A simple track laying on the Pyramid's face, is all that was required. No building and removal of large ramps were necessary. In the illustration below, there is a two track systems, with ascending and descending platforms. There are also two depression in the ground for the platforms, making it possible, to be level with the approaching tracks. Greased tracks would dramatically reduce friction. The two load platforms are connected with one single rope. As one is pulled to the top, the other descends to the bottom, acting as a counterbalance, to negate the weight of the carriage platforms. When one platform with the two stones reaches the top, that skid is pulled off, while the other skid at the bottom is being reloaded. The illustrations below shows 100 men for two stones at once. An additional increase in production.
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Note: the platform is not completely down in the depression, so you can view it.
Simple enough? The building could have been accomplished using only brute force. There are those who feel the ancients were not intelligent.
Everyone agrees they understood the usage of tracks. Continuing those tracts straight up the face of the Pyramid, is not a major leap in thinking. I personally believe they used additional components to aid in their endeavor. That could have been Water, Levers, Cranes, crude Pulleys, a capstan is a vertical-axled rotating machine developed for use on sailing ships to multiply the pulling force of seamen when hauling ropes, or other forms of time saving labor methods and equipment. With men alone, only 1/7th were needed, and would achieve the same result, in 1/7th the amount of time. This works with dry land at the base, or with water contained within the wall, and barges carrying those stones up the Water Funicular Causeway, floating and around the base. I digress...
Only Stone Pullers? Fine, this should work for you, and may be all that was necessary. Did I convince anyone? Please chime in. I welcome your comments. If anyone what's a copy of the Sketchup file(s), I will supply. You can download Sketchup Viewer for free, which enables you to pan in and orbit, enabling different perspectives.
Steve Clayton
According to Franz Löhner, and his associates, you only need 50 men (per average size stone) to lift and pull it up the 51.5 degree face. His research was extensive.
[www.cheops-pyramide.ch]
Here I will add a few additional insights, and facts.
The distance using a spiral ramp system, inside or out, wrapping around the Pyramid would equal approximately 83% of a mile (4,380.89ft.) and/or (1.335k) kilometers. (One mile = 5280ft. or 1.6k) The face of this Pyramid, in surface length, is approximately 612 ft. or .186 kilometers, from bottom to top. 4,380 spiral footage length, div. by 612 ft. face surface length = 7.158. The face length is 14% of the spiral ramp theory. Basically, a little more than 7... (7.143) times as short in distance. This is based on a 5.7 grade degree angle, as proposed by the ramp Spiral enthusiast's.
For fact checkers, here are the measurements of the 22 spiral angle's ascending to the top. I use Sketchup in 3D, (to size) for my results. Those 22 angles measure: 689.03', 591.93',508.49',436.81', 374.72', 321.13', 257.86', 236.98', 192.23', 142.73', 122.61', 105.33', 90.48', 77.72', 57.03', 47.98', 37.88', 24.09', 20.69', 17.78', 15.27', & 13.12'.
The Pyramid face = 51.3 degrees, which is 9 times the spiral angle of 5.7 degrees. In that spiral proposal they use 8 men to transverse upwards. 8 men X 9 ( difference in angle) = 72 men. Franz Löhner calculated only 50 men need to perform one single pull. Additionally, with the ramp concept, if one group stops for any reason, the entire production line would likely grind to a halt.
By pulling the stones directly up the Pyramid face, you save on men required, as well as, the time required to reach a working level. The ramp theory, is more limited as to how many men can fit on the ramps. Using the straight method, the men could be standing on top utilizing all four sides, and/or, down at the base. You only need 1/7th the men to accomplish the equivalent work, in 1/7th the amount of time.
Consider, it only required 100 men, alternately pulling the 2 stones directly up the Pyramids face. A simple track laying on the Pyramid's face, is all that was required. No building and removal of large ramps were necessary. In the illustration below, there is a two track systems, with ascending and descending platforms. There are also two depression in the ground for the platforms, making it possible, to be level with the approaching tracks. Greased tracks would dramatically reduce friction. The two load platforms are connected with one single rope. As one is pulled to the top, the other descends to the bottom, acting as a counterbalance, to negate the weight of the carriage platforms. When one platform with the two stones reaches the top, that skid is pulled off, while the other skid at the bottom is being reloaded. The illustrations below shows 100 men for two stones at once. An additional increase in production.
Note: the platform is not completely down in the depression, so you can view it.
Simple enough? The building could have been accomplished using only brute force. There are those who feel the ancients were not intelligent.
Everyone agrees they understood the usage of tracks. Continuing those tracts straight up the face of the Pyramid, is not a major leap in thinking. I personally believe they used additional components to aid in their endeavor. That could have been Water, Levers, Cranes, crude Pulleys, a capstan is a vertical-axled rotating machine developed for use on sailing ships to multiply the pulling force of seamen when hauling ropes, or other forms of time saving labor methods and equipment. With men alone, only 1/7th were needed, and would achieve the same result, in 1/7th the amount of time. This works with dry land at the base, or with water contained within the wall, and barges carrying those stones up the Water Funicular Causeway, floating and around the base. I digress...
Only Stone Pullers? Fine, this should work for you, and may be all that was necessary. Did I convince anyone? Please chime in. I welcome your comments. If anyone what's a copy of the Sketchup file(s), I will supply. You can download Sketchup Viewer for free, which enables you to pan in and orbit, enabling different perspectives.
Steve Clayton