PROJECT ABSTRACT
Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
(Cooperative Agreement # H1200-09-0005)
Park: Independence National Historical Park
Project Title: Structural Analysis of the Performance of Three Non-Destructive Testing
Methods for the Columns of the Second Bank of the United States, A Component of the
Pennsylvania Blue Marble Project
Funding Amount: $7,050.00
CPCESU Partner Institution: University of Pennsylvania
Principal Investigator (name, title, address, telephone, FAX, email):
Frank G. Matero, Professor of Architecture and Director, The Archite ctural
Conseration Laboratory, School of Design, University of Pennsylvania, 215-8983169 (v), fgmatero@design.upenn.edu
Co-Investigator (name, title, address, telephone, FAX, email):
David Biggs, Structural Engineer and Principal, DBiggs@ryanbiggs.com
NPS Key Official (name, title, address, telephone, FAX, email):
Doris D. Fanelli, Chief, Division of Cultural Resource Management, Independence
National Historical Park, 143 South Third St., Phila., PA 19106, 215-597-7087 (v);
215-597-5556 (FAX) doris_fanelli@nps.gov
Start Date: September 1, 2009
End Date: November 1, 2010
Abstract: This project will analyze the performance of three non-destructive testing
(NDT) methods for the marble columns of the Second Bank of the United States, a
National Historic Landmark located within Independence National Historic Park.
Masonry conservators will analyze the effects of impact echo (IE), pulse velocity (PV)
and surface penetrating radar (SPR) on discrete areas of the stone columns. The goal of
the initial program will be to determine:
1. If these methods obtain readings of through cracks;
2. Determine presence of embedded materials at bed joints;
3. Evaluate what NDT methods will work;
4. Evaluate what combination of sensor base materials will perform best; and
5. Estimate the time and cost required to obtain readings in order to make
projections for a full-scale testing program.
In addition, investigators will perform load analyses to estimate stresses on selected
columns, using drawings.
Keywords: Historic architecture.