washington monument and national cathedral (january 2012 meeting)

Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com

Erik Sohn, Senior AssociateWiss, Janney, Elstner AssociatesWashington, DC

Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the National Cathedral


AIA CreditsNorthern Virginia Chapter CSI is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion of non-AIA members available on request.

This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.



This presentation is protected by US and International Copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display

and use of the presentation without written permission of the speaker is prohibited.

© 2012 Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.



Learning Objectives• What Initial Steps Are Critical to Perform on a

Monumental Structure Following a Natural Disaster

• What Items Are Important to Review During the Initial Assessment

• What Types of Access Are Available, Appropriate, and Potentially Warranted for Unique and Historically Significant Structures

• How to Best Assist an Owner of an Irreplaceable Building Asset with Recovery From a Natural Disaster



Date: August 23, 2011

Approximate Time: 1:51 PM EDT

Magnitude: 5.8Mw

Location: Mineral, VA (Approx. 4 miles southwest)

95 miles southwest of Washington, DC

Depth Below Surface:

3.7 miles

Seismic Event

The USGS is now reporting that this event was the most widely-felt earthquake in U.S. history…



Overall Height:555ft 5-

1/8in

Height to Pyramidion: 500 ft

Width at Base: 55.6 ft

Width at Pyramidion: 34.5 ft

The Washington Monument


Critical Events and Activities

Make Safe Operations

Interior Remove Debris From Above

Observation Level Close-Range Survey

Exterior NPS Established Safe

Boundary with Fence and Police/Security

Close-Range Survey/Debris Loose Material Removal




Visual survey of exterior building elements

Identifying and removing unstable elements

Access overall extent of damage resulting from earthquake

Survey/Documentation of Seismic Damage



Distress

Exterior and Interior

Spalls and Incipient Spalls Cracks Displaced Stones Loose Mortar



Distress




Application of Sealant from Interior into Large Cracks and Joints Where Daylight was Visible

Preparation for Hurricane Irene



Overall Length: 517ft

Width of Nave: 142 ft

Height of Nave: 102 ft

Central Tower Height: 301 ft

West Towers Height: 234 ft

The Washington National Cathedral



Make Safe Operations

Interior Debris Netting System Close-Range Survey

Exterior Chain Link Fence




Visual survey of exterior building elements

Identifying unstable elements Access overall extent of damage

resulting from earthquake

Survey/Documentation of Seismic Damage




Pedestrian tunnels Develop an emergency

routing plan Install debris netting

and working platform around Central Tower

Preparation for 9/11 Ceremony




Weather-in the roof above the Sanctuary Overcroft

Stabilize intermediate pinnacles at perimeter walls

Preparation for Hurricane Irene




DAT of Central and West Towers



Ongoing Efforts

Dismantling of Central and West Tower Turrets and Pinnacles



Distress

Bond line failures Isolated locations of

unstable mortar Step cracks Limestone spalls Cracks in boss

stone, ribs, and ceiling interface

Loss of mortar

Interior



Distress

Northwest Entrance Roof Damage to metal roof and stone

parapet from finial

Exterior



Distress

Exterior

Nave Pinnacle damage



Distress

Exterior

North Transept Damage to metal roof from finial

and pinnacles Pinnacle damage



Distress

Exterior

South Transept Damage to metal roof

from stones Pinnacle damage Turret damage Gargoyle head severed



Distress

ExteriorChoir/Sanctuary Damage to metal roof from

stones Pinnacle damage Spalls at parapets



Distress

ExteriorApse Damage to buttresses Pinnacle damage Spalls at parapets



Distress

Exterior

West Towers Missing finial Pinnacle damage



Distress

Exterior

Central Towers Roof damage Pinnacle damage



Erik Sohn Senior AssociateWashington, DC


Questions?

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