A Case Study: Post-Earthquake Structural Engineering – America’s First Cathedral, Baltimore Basilica
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A Case Study: Post-Earthquake Structural Engineering – America’s First Cathedral, Baltimore Basilica
As a result of the 5.8 Magnitude Mineral, Virginia earthquake on August 23, 2011 and associated aftershocks, a significant number of historic masonry structures throughout the Baltimore, MD – Washington, DC – Northern VA regions sustained varying degrees of damage ranging from minor cosmetic defects to partial building collapse and complete loss of building components.
Since the August 2011 earthquake, Keast & Hood Co. Structural Engineers in Washington, DC has provided structural engineering services as part of the post-disaster response, assessment, or stabilization for approximately 150 separate building structures. Founded in 1953, Keast & Hood Co. is a nationally recognized leader in the preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of notable historic structures and has a long history of emergency response and disaster assessments and repair of historically significant buildings and structures.
Baltimore Basilica – Among the many historic structures impacted by the August 2011 Mineral, VA earthquake, The Baltimore Basilica, “America’s First Cathedral”, sustained significant damage. The Basilica, which is located at 409 Cathedral Street in Baltimore, Maryland, was constructed from 1805 to 1821. Designed by the noted American architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe and Thomas Jefferson, the Basilica is a fine example of the neoclassical style while conforming to the traditional Latin cross floor plan. A major restoration of the building was performed from 2003 to 2006 which included excavation of the undercroft as well as the installation of a new roof and significant interior restoration efforts.
The 200+ year old building structure consists of massive unreinforced brick masonry vaults, arches, and domes and is an excellent case study for evaluating the performance of heavy unreinforced historic masonry structures in moderate seismic events. In all, over 1,000 lineal feet of cracks in the massive historic structure, caused or worsened by the seismic event, were evaluated and repaired using a combination of masonry repointing, low-pressure cementitious grout injection, Helifix dry-fix pinning, and Cintec anchorage. The project was completed under a very aggressive schedule all while the building remained occupied and fully functional.