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Evaluation of the Concrete Columns
Office Building
 The
south portico of the State Capitol building has exterior and interior
arches built with brick masonry and granite stone facade. In January
of 2001, a truck carrying diesel fuel rammed through the east exterior
arch and was stopped at the interior arch causing the severe damage
to the portico — both by the impact and the heat generated by
the diesel burning fire. Since the building is of historic significance,
concerns were expressed regarding possible interior damage to the
stone masonry caused by the heat.
 Concrete
Science, Inc. was contracted to conduct the impact echo tests and
provide results to the stone masonry consultant for his evaluation
of the stone masonry.
Concrete Science, Inc. conducted the tests on the granite stones of
the exterior and interior arches of the south portico. In addition,
limited numbers of stones of the north portico were tested for comparison
purposes. The testing produced repeatable results with a wide variation
in frequencies for the same thickness of stone. None of the results
showed thickness of stone. None of the results showed internal damage
to the stone. |
