Seismic Assessment of DC's Washington Monument and National Cathedral

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


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.


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


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…


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



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



Survey/Documentation of Seismic Damage

 Visual survey of exterior building elements
 Identifying and removing unstable elements
 Access overall extent of damage resulting
from earthquake



Distress
Exterior and Interior
 Spalls and Incipient Spalls
 Cracks
 Displaced Stones
 Loose Mortar



Distress



Preparation for Hurricane Irene

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


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



Make Safe Operations
Interior
 Debris Netting System
 Close-Range Survey
Exterior
 Chain Link Fence



Survey/Documentation of Seismic Damage

 Visual survey of exterior building
elements
 Identifying unstable elements
 Access overall extent of damage resulting
from earthquake



Preparation for 9/11 Ceremony

 Pedestrian tunnels
 Develop an emergency
routing plan
 Install debris netting and
working platform around
Central Tower



Preparation for Hurricane Irene

 Weather-in the roof above the
Sanctuary Overcroft
 Stabilize intermediate
pinnacles at perimeter walls



DAT of Central and West Towers



Ongoing Efforts
Dismantling of Central and West Tower Turrets and
Pinnacles



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



Distress
Exterior
Northwest Entrance Roof
 Damage to metal roof and stone
parapet from finial



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
Exterior
Choir/Sanctuary
 Damage to metal roof from stones
 Pinnacle damage
 Spalls at parapets



Distress
Exterior
Apse
 Damage to buttresses
 Pinnacle damage
 Spalls at parapets



Distress
Exterior

West Towers
 Missing finial
 Pinnacle damage



Distress
Exterior
Central Towers
 Roof damage
 Pinnacle damage



Questions?

Erik Sohn
Senior Associate
Washington, DC


Seismic Assessment of DC's Washington Monument and National Cathedral

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Seismic Assessment of DC's Washington Monument and National Cathedral