Masonry Magazine November 2005 Page. 30
RESTORATION
"The biggest challenge in restoration is that you don't know the true condition of the structure before you must commit to costs and schedule," he continues. "The way to offset that disadvantage was to do as much preliminary work as possible, such as researching the structures' history and performing forensic diagnostics of the original materials, including where they came from. Another consideration was whether it was possible to match or even get the same products today. In the end, it took extensive research and numerous visits to the site to measure, study and evaluate the structure."
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With a bulk of the fort underground, its biggest enemy has been water, which has compromised both walls and an elaborate brick drainage system that runs hundreds of feet underground and into the fort. Rain troughs moved water within the fort to the drainage areas and out to the Potomac River. On the terreplein deck, where the cannons were mounted, brick pavers were the final finish, on top of clay and gravel base (eight to 10 inches deep), underneath which was the casement area, with a roof supported by brick arches. Over the years, water seeped through the deck into those arches and side walls, destroying the mortar in places and allowing soil in.
The NPS used high tech tools to help determine the condition of the thick fort walls, which had multiple layers and wythes of brick measuring four to six feet. Thermographs, special X-rays and infrared helped planners and contractor "see" inside the walls and assess the amount of damage and movement. Snake-filled drains were assessed by camera and smoke.
These measures were not a moment too soon, according to Schiffer. If the 25-foot long East Esplanade wall had failed, it ran the risk of taking the main gatehouse with it. Fortunately, it did not, and the limestone gatehouse is being repointed, patched and replaced where needed. In the soldiers' barracks, wood floor trusses were rebuilt and foundation repaired. The officers' barracks are next.
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Masonry
November 2005
www.masoncontractors.org