Load Testing of Historic Cast Iron Stairs at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 19, Issue 1
Abstract
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick structure of its kind in the United States. The national icon was closed to visitors after several pieces of the cast iron stairs, original to the structure, dislodged and fell inside the lighthouse. This finding led to the investigative efforts outlined in this paper, on the load carrying capacity of the stairs. This article summarizes the engineering effort in the condition assessment of the stairs, the review of visitor statistical data for likely load exposures during peak times, and the development of a unique load test program for the stairs of the historic structure. The load testing program was unique because of the physical constraints of the lighthouse shaft as well as the dimensions of the stair treads. In addition, the engineering team had the added objective of protecting the integrity of the national icon and performing the load test without exposing the historic stairs to an unnecessary risk of failure.
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Acknowledgments
The load test study was performed for the National Park Service. Pond & Company Architects and Engineers of Atlanta was the consultant for the assessment of the stairs. MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc. (formerly LAWGibb Group) provided services for instrumentation and deflection monitoring during the load testing phase. International Chimney Corp. of Buffalo, N.Y. assisted in the supply and placement of the test load and performed replacement/repair services for selected elements. The writers thank Mr. Calvin Arrington for CAD support.
References
Chalk, J. (1998). “Preliminary structural assessment, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse stairs and landings.” Rep. by National Park Service Structural Engineer, Denver Service Center, National Park Service, Denver.
Hasbrouck Peterson Associates and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (1988). “Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, comprehensive structural analysis.” Rep. submitted to National Park Service, Atlanta, Ga.
International Chimney Corporation. (1999). “Premove Condition Lighthouse Section and Plans, Cape Hatteras Light Station,” drawing sheet A-3, dated 1/15/999, International Chimney Corporation, Williamsville, NY.
International Code Council. (2002). International building code, adapted as North Carolina building code by the North Carolina Dept. of Insurance, Raleigh, N.C.
Pond & Company, Architects and Engineers. (2001). “Structural assessment of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse stairs.” Revised Rep. submitted to National Park Service, Atlanta, Ga.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 19 • Issue 1 • February 2005
Pages: 36 - 41
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Nov 18, 2003
Accepted: Jan 26, 2004
Published online: Feb 1, 2005
Published in print: Feb 2005
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