Structural Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Century-Old Masonry and Timber Buildings
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 25, Issue 2
Abstract
This work focused on the structural condition assessment, repair, and rehabilitation aspects of old buildings built primarily with masonry and timber. Specifically, several school buildings that are old and considered historically important in the regional education landscape were considered for evaluation. Several visual and nondestructive load-testing techniques were used to evaluate the structural condition, stresses and deformations, structural and nonstructural issues, and building safety. Cost-effective designs were implemented to repair and rehabilitate damaged structural members with locally available materials that matched the visual needs while meeting the design requirements. Evaluations of buildings focused on masonry foundations and walls, wood floor joists and roof rafters, steel beams and truss members, and other structural elements. Energy losses were evaluated through infrared (IR) thermography techniques. After approximately a century of service, most of the building elements were found to have the required design strength and meet the serviceability criteria.
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Acknowledgments
We thank members of the West Virginia Department of education, West Virginia School Boards of various counties, West Virginia Fire Marshals, school principals, building maintenance crew, and school staff. More than 15 graduate students and building maintenance/repair crew from various counties participated in this evaluation. We sincerely appreciate their support, help, and cooperation during every stage of the building inspection and roof testing and evaluation of classrooms during all our visits. Testing and evaluation help from professional consultant Barry Dickson and engineer Mark Skidmore during these evaluations is greatly acknowledged.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 25 • Issue 2 • June 2019
Copyright
© 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 3, 2018
Accepted: Oct 10, 2018
Published online: Jan 25, 2019
Published in print: Jun 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Jun 25, 2019
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