The document summarizes the seismic assessment of the Washington Monument and Washington National Cathedral following the 2011 Virginia earthquake. It describes the initial steps taken to make the structures safe, including debris removal and surveys to document damage. For both structures, spalls, cracks, displaced stones and loose mortar were observed. Preparations were also made for upcoming storms, including applying sealant and stabilizing elements. Ongoing efforts include dismantling unstable tower elements at the Cathedral.
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Washington Monument and National Cathedral (January 2012 Meeting)
1. Seismic Assessment of the Washington
Monument and the National Cathedral
Erik Sohn,
Senior Associate
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates
Washington, DC
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
2. Seismic Assessment of the Washington
Monument and the National Cathedral
AIA Credits
Northern 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.
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
4. Seismic Assessment of the Washington
Monument and the National Cathedral
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
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
5. Seismic Assessment of the Washington
Monument and the National Cathedral
Seismic Event
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
The USGS is now reporting that this event was the most widely-felt earthquake in
U.S. history…
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
6. The Washington Monument
Overall Height: 555ft 5-1/8in
Height to
Pyramidion: 500 ft
Width at Base: 55.6 ft
Width at
Pyramidion: 34.5 ft
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
19. 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
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
20. The Washington Monument
Critical Events and Activities
Survey/Documentation of Seismic Damage
Visual survey of exterior building elements
Identifying and removing unstable elements
Access overall extent of damage resulting
from earthquake
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
21. The Washington Monument
Distress
Exterior and Interior
Spalls and Incipient Spalls
Cracks
Displaced Stones
Loose Mortar
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
22. The Washington Monument
Distress
Exterior and Interior
Spalls and Incipient Spalls
Cracks
Displaced Stones
Loose Mortar
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
28. The Washington Monument
Critical Events and Activities
Preparation for Hurricane Irene
Application of Sealant from
Interior into Large Cracks and
Joints Where Daylight was
Visible
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
29. The Washington National Cathedral
Overall Length: 517ft
Width of Nave: 142 ft
Height of Nave: 102 ft
Central Tower
Height: 301 ft
West Towers Height: 234 ft
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
30. The Washington National Cathedral
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
31. The Washington National Cathedral
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
32. The Washington National Cathedral
Critical Events and Activities
Make Safe Operations
Interior
Debris Netting System
Close-Range Survey
Exterior
Chain Link Fence
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
33. The Washington National Cathedral
Critical Events and Activities
Survey/Documentation of Seismic Damage
Visual survey of exterior building
elements
Identifying unstable elements
Access overall extent of damage resulting
from earthquake
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
34. The Washington National Cathedral
Critical Events and Activities
Preparation for 9/11 Ceremony
Pedestrian tunnels
Develop an emergency
routing plan
Install debris netting and
working platform around
Central Tower
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
35. The Washington National Cathedral
Critical Events and Activities
Preparation for Hurricane Irene
Weather-in the roof above the
Sanctuary Overcroft
Stabilize intermediate
pinnacles at perimeter walls
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
36. The Washington National Cathedral
Critical Events and Activities
DAT of Central and West Towers
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
37. The Washington National Cathedral
Ongoing Efforts
Dismantling of Central and West Tower Turrets and
Pinnacles
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
38. The Washington National Cathedral
Distress
Interior
Bond line failures
Isolated locations of
unstable mortar
Step cracks
Limestone spalls
Cracks in boss stone,
ribs, and ceiling
interface
Loss of mortar
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
39. The Washington National Cathedral
Distress
Exterior
Northwest Entrance Roof
Damage to metal roof and stone
parapet from finial
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
40. The Washington National Cathedral
Distress
Exterior
Nave
Pinnacle damage
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
41. The Washington National Cathedral
Distress
Exterior
North Transept
Damage to metal roof from finial and
pinnacles
Pinnacle damage
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
42. The Washington National Cathedral
Distress
Exterior
South Transept
Damage to metal roof
from stones
Pinnacle damage
Turret damage
Gargoyle head severed
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
43. The Washington National Cathedral
Distress
Exterior
Choir/Sanctuary
Damage to metal roof from stones
Pinnacle damage
Spalls at parapets
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
44. The Washington National Cathedral
Distress
Exterior
Apse
Damage to buttresses
Pinnacle damage
Spalls at parapets
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
45. The Washington National Cathedral
Distress
Exterior
West Towers
Missing finial
Pinnacle damage
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
46. The Washington National Cathedral
Distress
Exterior
Central Towers
Roof damage
Pinnacle damage
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com
47. Seismic Assessment of the Washington
Monument and the National Cathedral
Questions?
Erik Sohn
Senior Associate
Washington, DC
Seismic Assessment of the Washington Monument and the Washington National Cathedral www.wje.com