Amendment_0003_Pershing_Field_Investigation_Report.pdf

Plan Design Enable

FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT

PERSHING BARRACKS

U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY, WEST POINT, NEW YORK

MARCH 2, 2015

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FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT

PERSHING BARRACKS

U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY, WEST POINT, NEW YORK

MARCH 2, 2015

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................1-1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1-1 OBjECTIVE ......................................................................................................... 1-2 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................. 1-2 METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................. 1-2 EVALUATION SUMMARY .................................................................................... 1-4 RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY ........................................................................ 1-5

2. FINDINGS ........................................................................................................2-1 HISTORIC .............................................................................................................. 2-1 SITE/CIVIL ........................................................................................................... 2-25 LANDSCAPE ...................................................................................................... 2-35 STRUCTURAL .................................................................................................... 2-37 LIFE SAFETY ...................................................................................................... 2-43 ARCHITECTURAL .............................................................................................. 2-45 INTERIORS ......................................................................................................... 2-53 SUSTAINABILITY ............................................................................................... 2-55 HAzARDOUS MATERIALS ................................................................................ 2-57 MECHANICAL ..................................................................................................... 2-59 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ............................................................................ 2-61 PLUMBING .......................................................................................................... 2-63 FIRE PROTECTION ............................................................................................ 2-67 ATFP/SECURITY ................................................................................................ 2-69 COMMUNICATIONS ........................................................................................... 2-71

3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS ......................................................................3-1 HISTORIC .............................................................................................................. 3-1

SITE/CIVIL ............................................................................................................. 3-3 LANDSCAPE ........................................................................................................ 3-5 STRUCTURAL ...................................................................................................... 3-7 LIFE SAFETY ........................................................................................................ 3-9 ARCHITECTURAL .............................................................................................. 3-11 INTERIORS ......................................................................................................... 3-13 MECHANICAL ..................................................................................................... 3-15 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ............................................................................ 3-17 PLUMBING .......................................................................................................... 3-19 FIRE PROTECTION ............................................................................................ 3-21 ATFP/SECURITY ................................................................................................ 3-23 e3enmjas Sticky Note Marked set by e3enmjas e3enmjas Sticky Note Marked set by e3enmjas e3enmjas Cross-Out e3enmjas Cross-Out

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A WEST POINT DESIGN QUALITY CONTROL PLAN ...................A-1

APPENDIX B DISCIPLINE CHECKLISTS ..........................................................B-1 APPENDIX C ATKINS RESUMéS ......................................................................C-1 APPENDIX D DD FORM 1391 ............................................................................D-1 APPENDIX E AS-BUILT DRAWING EXCERPTS ...............................................E-1

APPENDIX F POINT CLOUD SURVEY .............................................................. F-1 APPENDIX G HAzARDOUS MATERIAL TESTING ........................................... G-1

APPENDIX H SURFACE PENETRATING RADAR RESULTS ...........................H-1

APPENDIX I PROBE AND CORE RESULTS ..................................................... I-1 APPENDIX j COUPON RESULTS ..................................................................... j-1 APPENDIX K LIFE SAFETY/CODE ANALYSIS .................................................K-1

APPENDIX L THERMAL IMAGING INVESTIGATION REPORT ....................... L-1

APPENDIX M PROPOSED LAYOUT....................................................................M-1

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HISTORIC

General History Pershing Barracks, formerly the West Academic Building, was constructed in 1895. The building was renovated in 1959 from an academic building to a Cadet barracks and renamed Pershing Barracks. It is the largest surviving 19th century building at West Point and is the only remaining work by Richard Morris Hunt at the academy.1

West Point’s Annual Report of 1887 called for a new gymnasium and a new academic building for the chemistry and philosophy departments. A bill for the new building was submitted to Congress in 1888. The old Academic Building was demolished in June 1891.2 The West Academic Building was constructed from 1891 to 1895 and was fully occupied by August 1895.

The building was initially designed in 1888 by Professor Charles W. Larned whose drawings were presented to Congress that year. These drawings are included in the Supplemental Materials section of the HABS report. The overall massing “is remarkably like that eventually designed by Richard Morris Hunt.”3

Original plans for the building still exist and are in the collection of the Chief Engineer at the Academy. These plans were reused in subsequent alterations to the building, “resulting in the loss of many original details” on the plans, and as a result, little is known about the original interior.

Richard Morris Hunt of McKim, Meade, and White was ultimately commissioned to design the new Academic Building and Gymnasium/Fencing Academy Building. For the Gymnasium, Hunt chose a Romanesque Revival style; the building was demolished in the 1920s to make room for a new Mess Hall. For the Academic Building,

an architectural image for the Academy.”5

The building contractors for the project were J.E. and A.L. Pennock of Philadelphia. Stone for the project came from Hudson and Chester Granite Company, of Chester, Massachusetts. Gas fixtures were supplied by Eugene Kulinski and Company.

Exterior Description

1 McDonald, Travis C., Jr., “U.S. Military Academy--West Academic Building.” HABS No. NY-5708-15. 1984. Page 1.

2 Lange, Robie S., “United States Military Academy (West Point) HABS NY-5708,” Historic American Buildings Survey, National Parks Service. 1984. Page 9.

3 McDonald, Travis C. Jr., “U.S. Military Academy--West Academic Building.” HABS No. NY-5708-15. 1984. Page 4.

4 Lange, Robie S., “West Point: An Overview of the History and Development of the United States Military Academy.” United States Military Academy (West Point) HABS NY-5708, Volume 2. Historic American Buildings Survey, National Parks Service. 1984. Page 87.

5 McDonald, Travis C., Jr., “U.S. Military Academy--West Academic Building.” HABS No. NY-5708-15. 1984. Page 5.

6 McDonald, Travis C., Jr., “U.S. Military Academy--West Academic Building.” HABS No. NY-5708-15. 1984. Page 6.

FINDINGS

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elevations” with the most elaborate section on the east elevation.8

The walls are load-bearing granite with an interior brick veneer. The foundations are concrete footings and ashlar granite walls. The depth of the foundation walls varies by location. The basement structural system consists of arched brick walls between steel I-beams which support the concrete slab of the first floor. The upper floors use the same system of steel I-beams encased in concrete, with brick interior walls. The corridors once contained brick arches similar to the basement, but most of these were removed in the conversion of the building to barracks.

The main façade of the building is the east façade, containing two of the six main entrances to the building and one of two sally ports. The entrances are located to the north and south on the east elevation. The sally port on the east façade leads to the inner courtyard, formed by the north and south wings. Within this sally port are two

end.9 Above the cornice is a crenellated parapet. The spandrels of the arch contain carving representing West Point. The buttresses contain the dates 1891 and 1895, identifying the start and completion dates of construction.

The projection of the sally port continues up the façade, forming a projecting bay that ends at the roof “in twin octagonal bartizans with crenels, loopholes, and scuppers.”10 On the west elevation, the sally port also projects

which makes the courtyard accessible by vehicle. The tower above this sally port is referred to as the western sally port tower. The final two main entrances are located on the west façade in locations that correspond with the main entrances on the east façade due to the location of the principle staircases in these locations.

that spans three double window bays of the south elevation. The remaining building entrances are basement-level entrances on the west elevation of the south wing and underneath the porch on the south elevation.

The towers are located on the east and south ends of the north elevation. The tallest tower, located at the northeast corner of the building, has a clock on the east and north elevations. This tower was added after the

The tower has a spiral staircase on the west elevation, and gargoyles on the northeast and northwest corners.

The gargoyles are similar to those located on the sally port of the main façade.

The windows of the Pershing Barracks are not traditional gothic windows seen on later buildings. Hunt opted for conventional 1/1 double hung sash windows. This is contrary to the window openings, which have a very gothic form, with segmental, pointed, relieving, or round arched masonry openings. Window frame details such as jambs and lintels are of dressed granite.

The built-up roof is flat, with copper-covered hip roofs on the southeast corner and the north wing. The roof support structure is a concrete slab.

7 McDonald, Travis C., Jr., “U.S. Military Academy--West Academic Building.” HABS No. NY-5708-15. 1984. Page 6.

8 McDonald, Travis C., Jr., “U.S. Military Academy--West Academic Building.” HABS No. NY-5708-15. 1984. Page 8.

9 McDonald, Travis C., Jr., “U.S. Military Academy--West Academic Building.” HABS No. NY-5708-15. 1984. Page 6.

10 Ibid.

11 Ibid.

12 McDonald, Travis C., Jr., “U.S. Military Academy--West Academic Building.” HABS No. NY-5708-15. 1984. Page 8.

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Interior Description

There is a detailed description of the interior and its original uses in HABS Report NY-5708-15. These descriptions are based on the original plans from their original state where possible. Because the drawings were used in subsequent additions and alterations to the building, there are erased areas of the drawings and rooms whose original use could not be identified.

The basement was partitioned into several areas assigned to the Department of Tactics, the Department of Ordnance and Gunnery, and the Reproduction Department, in addition to janitorial offices, supply closets, and mechanical rooms.

with yellow pine. The corridors and rooms had heavily molded baseboards, and chair rails. The rooms had heavily molded door and window trim, plaster ceiling moldings, cornices, and wainscoting.

The stair landings were slate, and there were octagonal columns (likely iron) that supported riveted plate girders

Two rooms on the third floor had balconies. One was on the south wall of the northeast corner room. The second balcony was located in an Examination Room of the northwest wing along its south and west walls.

Remodel History

1930s

Many of the larger spaces in the building were partitioned into smaller rooms.

The second floor windows of the north elevation received stone spandrels and a new lower sash.

An elevator was installed.

1950s

Acoustic wall and ceiling coverings were installed in some areas of the building. More partition walls were erected.

The plaster ceiling moldings, window and door frame moldings, chair rails, and baseboards were all removed.

The firm Gehron and Seltzer, Architects and Engineers, New York City, were hired to convert the West Academic Building to Cadet barracks. The conversion was completed in 1960.

“Only the corridors on some floors resembled the former space with some arches surviving in the juncture of stairways. The north basement retains its brick corridor vaults with I-beam spandrels and still has

asbestos in 1976. Galvanized corrugated iron sections of the roof were replaced with copper; however, ventilators and stairway skylights were removed. The second-third floor staircase was removed, as was the northwest tower elevator, but the two principle staircases remain, retaining their original balusters and handrail. Interior doors were replaced; exterior doors (reverse swing) and windows were retained.”14

13 McDonald, Travis C., Jr., “U.S. Military Academy--West Academic Building.” HABS No. NY-5708-15. 1984. Page 2.

14 McDonald, Travis C., Jr., “U.S. Military Academy--West Academic Building.” HABS No. NY-5708-15. 1984. Page 4.

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There are additional drawings for alterations very similar to those executed by Gehron and Seltzer by Walter Dorwin Teague Associates, Industrial Designers that were approved in 1958. The drawings are located in the Facilities Engineer’s Office, Directorate of Engineering and Housing, USMA; however, the role the firm played in the conversion is unknown.15

Undated changes based on physical examination of the building are limited to the windows.16 Some of the double windows on the first floor on the north, south, and east elevations have had an additional wood mullion added in the transom window. This change may correlate with the conversion of the building to barracks in 1956. Windows

A loading platform was added to the southwest corner of the northwest wing, and the exterior walls were repointed and waterproofed.

Window work.

April 20, 1994 Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Restoration Work

Cleaning Ferrous and cuprous oxide stains from granite using special poultices Biological growth using dilute bleach and pressurized water rinse Efflorescence using dry brushing and poultices Removal of leaching from all bracketed and corbelled water tables “Poultice and rinse exfoliated granite surfaces as specified” Remove paint and bitumen using paint strippers Cleaning stucco ceiling with detergent, apply breathable masonry coating

Repointing “Repoint 100 percent of mortar joints in locations specified” Lead joint covers All cross joints of both crenellated turrets at east elevation, center bay Stone roof deck at east elevation Melton balustrade Stone roof deck of south elevation balcony Crenellated towers Remove mortar and sealant from head and collar joints at belt courses and install lead joint covers Repoint bluestone with approved custom tinted mortar

Granite Restoration Crack Repair: Cracks routed to 1/8-inch and filled with patching mortar Dutchman installation Field stone Leader collar Remove concrete patches and install new dutchman Remove unused anchors, rods, bolts, and fasteners and patch Remove corroded electrical boxes and fixtures and patch holes Remove pipes and restore void with Dutchmen

Bluestone restoration Resurface engaged slab, tool to match original Crack patching

15 Ibid.

16 McDonald, Travis C., Jr., “U.S. Military Academy--West Academic Building.” HABS No. NY-5708-15. 1984. Page 5.

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Dismantle, Salvage, and Rebuild Arched spandrel Both crenellated turrets at east elevation, center bay Merlon balustrade at east elevation, enlarge drain holes, new lead coated copper leaders Stone and iron balustrade at south elevation balcony, enlarge drain holes, clean drains and install new spouts, apply custom breathable coating to existing composite patch on soffit of balcony South porch, new concrete footings, areaway slabs and drains, new bluestone platforms and treads Granite footing walls in south elevation areaway retaining wall Crenellated parapets including clock tower and stair tower

Installation of new flashing Both crenellated turrets at east elevation, center bay Over concrete window sills at north elevation Crenellated parapets of clock tower and stair tower

Water Shedding and Drainage Replace missing or broken cast iron leader shoes with new to match original Remove all copper leaders, salvage and restore straps and leader boxes. Fabricate new sheet copper box leaders and install using salvaged straps and leader boxes.

Replace missing elements with new to match.

Ironwork Remove and restore off site Strip, prime, and paint Replace broken, missing, and deteriorated elements New mechanical fasteners to match original Remove steel security grilles and mounting hardware. Patch stonework.

Miscellaneous Remove existing roof conductors and install bird deterrent in openings

Replace spalled sections of existing cast in place concrete loading dock bumper with new solid stock, pressure treated southern yellow pine bumper.

Description of Materials

Exterior

Granite

ashlar pattern. The decorative features of the façade including a two-part water table on the main building and one-part water

arches over the windows are composed of the same granite, but with a smooth, honed finish

Granite is an igneous rock, granular and phaneritic17 in texture, composed of mainly quartz, mica, and feldspar. A massive

17 The matrix grains of granite are large enough to be observed with the naked eye.

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structure (lacking internal structures) makes granites hard, tough and therefore a good building stone. Granites can range in color from pink to gray depending upon its chemistry and mineralogy.

The granite on Pershing Barracks is in fair condition with some cracks and previous repairs, including patching, Dutchmen, and crack repair.

Bluestone

The exterior steps to the entrances on the east, south, and west façades are constructed of bluestone.

Bluestone is a sandstone composed of grains of feldspar with a distinct blue-gray color. Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed principally of cemented grains of quartz and/or feldspars. The cements binding the grains together are typically calcite, clays, and silica. Sandstone is formed in two basic stages. First, a layer or layers of sand accumulates as the result of sedimentation, either from water (as in a stream, lake, or sea) or from air (as in a desert). Finally, once it has accumulated, the sand becomes sandstone when it is compacted by pressure of overlying deposits and cemented by the precipitation of minerals within the pore spaces between sand grains. Trace minerals within the stone give the sandstone its color. For example, iron oxide will impart red hues, while manganese imparts a purplish hue.

Due to the layered nature of its formation, sandstone tends to deteriorate through a process called delamination.

Delamination involves a physical separation of the stone into one or several layers following the stone laminae (layers). It may be caused by the swelling and shrinking of clays in the sedimentary layers during wetting and drying, or it may be caused by the crystallization of soluble salts between sedimentary layers.

The bluestone steps at Pershing Barracks are in poor condition with displacement, delamination, and spalls.

Wood

Oak is used for the exterior doors and windows of Pershing Barracks.

Oak has a density of about 0.75 g/cm3, great strength and hardness, and is very resistant to insect and fungal attack because of its high tannin content. It also has very appealing grain markings, particularly when quartersawn. Oak is commonly used for furniture making and flooring, timber frame buildings, and for veneer production.

Wood deterioration is often caused by ultraviolet light degradation and changes in relative humidity. Ultraviolet light can cause fading, embrittlement and loss of surface. Being very porous, wood swells and shrinks markedly with changes in the relative humidity in the air. Rapid shrinking and swelling causes cracks, or checks in the wood surface. Unprotected wood can erode at the rate of 5 to 6 mm per century due to the combined effects of ultraviolet light and rapid moisture changes.18

The doors and windows of Pershing Barracks are in poor condition. The doors have deteriorated finishes and abrasion especially at the bottoms of the doors and around the handles. Some moldings are missing form some doors. The paint is peeling and worn on the windows, and the windows have signs of rot and UV degradation, particularly on the sills.

18 Bernard M. Feilden, Conservation of Historic Buildings, 3rd ed. (Oxford: Architectural Press, 2003), 95 and 101.

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Wrought Iron

Wrought iron is used for the eight sconces, railings around the moats, and window grilles at the moat level.

Wrought iron is commercial iron consisting of slag (iron silicate) fibers entrained in an iron matrix. It is almost pure iron with less than 1 percent carbon. Slag content varies between 1 and 4 percent. The slag exists in a purely physical association and not alloyed. This gives wrought iron its characteristic laminated structure.

Wrought iron is relatively soft, malleable, tough, fatigue-resistant, and easily worked by forging, bending, rolling, and drawing. It can be reheated and hot-worked again and again to the desired shape. The more wrought iron is worked, the stronger it becomes. It is also easily welded. Wrought iron is tough and stringy. It has a high elasticity and tensile strength.

Until the mid-nineteenth century, wrought iron was generally used for tie rods, straps, nails, hardware, railings, and fences.

Before steel was available, wrought iron was used structurally for beams and girders in both tension and compression. During the late-19th and early-20th centuries, it was not uncommon to find a mixture of cast-iron column and wrought or steel beams in the same building.

Iron, when unprotected, oxidizes rapidly when exposed to moisture. Wrought iron generally rusts more quickly than cast iron; however, the corrosion can be more readily measured and the degree of deterioration ascertained. However, wrought iron is resistant to progressive corrosion due to the slag content that acts as a barrier to corrosion.

The wrought iron elements are in good condition. They were recently restored in the 1990s. However, there is some minor corrosion and inappropriate replacement hardware.

Bronze

Bronze is a rich pink metal that is an alloy of copper and tin.

applied, brown patina or a natural green patina. Bronze is particularly suited for casting because of its fluidity in a molten state, its density, and its ability to retain detailed mold impressions. Bronze can be rolled, extruded and forged. In most forms, it is resistant to the wear and abrasion of heavy use. Most bronze used for architectural purposes today are not true bronzes as they contain silicon, manganese, aluminum, zinc, and other metals, though technically, any copper alloy that contains zinc is brass.

or brown to a golden hue. The color is usually chosen by the artisan as part of the original design. To preserve the patina, the artist or the foundry will protect it with either coats of wax or a lacquer. If this protective coating is not maintained, the surface of the bronze will be subject to corrosion.

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Bronze is corroded by exposure to moisture, acidity caused by polluted air or newly cut wood, chlorides, acetates, and ammonia. Bird and animal guano is acidic which can also corrode bronze. Salts can also corrode bronze.

Deicing salts can splash up on bronze elements causing corrosion.

At Pershing Barracks, bronze is used for nine plaques. The bronze plaques are in good to fair condition with some loss of original finishes and patina, and corrosion.

Copper

Copper is used for the external leaders on the façade.

Copper is a very durable reddish-orange metal. The characteristic green color is actually a protective patina-copper sulfate that forms on the surface and prevents further reaction with the surrounding environment. Copper also has a high coefficient of linear thermal expansion, which means that large sheets of copper will buckle and tear.

Copper roofing is vulnerable to mechanical breakdown of the individual metal units caused by inadequate provisions for thermal expansion and contraction, improper fastenings, insufficient substructure, and erosion. Excessive thermal stressing causes the copper and its protective patina to become friable. Eventually the metal may fatigue, resulting in bulges and cracks. Once fatigue cracks or splits occur, the roof or sheathing has failed as a weather-tight membrane.

Copper is easily fatigued as it is worked by hammering, rolling, or by repeated movements in the same direction (such is caused by wind blowing and suction). This repetitive motion will cause cracking and tearing.

Because of its softness, copper is easily eroded by abrasive agents. This is an especially acute problem in roof flashing or valley areas where the copper can be worn so thin that it fails. It is also vulnerable to impact damage such as hail and to inelastic deformation (deformation from being stressed beyond the material’s elastic limit) as the result of wind damage.

Copper can also be attacked by acidic runoff. Certain types of bituminous materials contain organic acids, which will attack copper. Additionally, acidic excrement from birds and other animals and can erode copper.

Cast Iron

Cast iron is an alloy of carbon and iron, containing 2 to 4 percent carbon by weight. Molten cast iron is very fluid and can easily be cast into a variety of forms. It is very hard and has excellent compressive strength, but performs poorly in tension.

Furthermore, because cast iron has more carbon content than wrought iron and steel, it tends be more resistant to corrosion than the other iron metals. However, if cast iron is not properly maintained and routinely painted, it starts to oxidize, or rust.

Cast iron is produced by pouring molten metal into the void of a mold which creates a casting. The traditional material of which molds were made was a damp sand, a clay mixture called “green sand” that is still in use today. Once the metal has cooled, the castings are broken out of the molds, and any mold lines or “flashes” are dressed off and the castings are brushed clean.

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Cast iron deteriorates when it is exposed to air and moisture. The oxidation process, or rusting, involves a chemical reaction in which oxygen combines with the iron to form ferric oxides. The oxidation process is an expansive one, and approximately 1/8-inch of iron once completely oxidized is equal to 1-inch of rust. This expansion can cause cracks, stress, displacement of surrounding masonry and is sometimes referred to as rust jacking. Corrosion also results in loss of material, which can compromise the structural integrity of the iron. Often times, small areas of the cast iron start to rust, including ornamental details that have crevices that can trap and hold water. Once a small area of the cast iron starts to oxidize, corrosion is accelerated and spread by the fact that the oxidized surface is porous and holds onto the water or liquids.

Interior

Wood Trim

The wood trim on the interior is oak. The trim is both painted and clear coated. The clear coating ranges in color from medium brown to unpigmented. The trim also appears to date from different periods from original construction to each of the alterations.

Wood deterioration is often caused by ultraviolet light degradation and changes in relative humidity. Ultraviolet light can cause fading, embrittlement and loss of surface. Being very porous, wood swells and shrinks markedly with changes in the relative humidity in the air. Rapid shrinking and swelling causes cracks, or checks, in the wood surface. Unprotected wood can erode at the rate of 5 to 6 mm per century due to the combined effects of ultraviolet light and rapid moisture changes.19 The wood should be regularly coated to prevent deterioration.

Cast Iron

Cast iron is an alloy of carbon and iron, containing 2 to 4 percent carbon by weight. Molten cast iron is very fluid and can easily be cast into a variety of forms. It is very hard and has excellent compressive strength, but performs poorly in tension.

Cast iron deteriorates when it is exposed to air and moisture.

The cast iron at the stairs in the Pershing Barracks is in excellent condition.

19 Bernard M. Feilden, Conservation of Historic Buildings, 3rd ed. (Oxford: Architectural Press, 2003), 95 and 101.

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Terrazzo

Historically terrazzo is a man-made stone composed of marble and granite chips mixed with a cementitious binder. Terrazzo came in a variety of colors depending on the stone used in the mixture and the tint of the cement binder. It was poured in place or precast as tiles and installed with bronze dividing strips that serve as control joints. Terrazzo is ground to a smooth surface, polished to a shiny finish, and sealed for protection.

Terrazzo is durable and easy to maintain, and is often installed in high traffic areas such as lobbies and corridors.

Terrazzo was used in the Pershing corridors and installed in the 1930s rehabilitation. The terrazzo at Pershing is suffering from impact damage and has some cracking. At the stairs, rebar is exposed in one or two units.

Colored Geometric Tile

The floors of Stair 1 landings are dust pressed colored tiles. The tiles are laid in geometric patterns resembling carpets. The tiles were produced by the American Encaustic Tiling Company, also called AETCO or AE (1875-to at least 1945). It was one of the largest American tile producing companies, and their tiles are found in large numbers of American houses and public buildings.

AETCO tiles were used in large numbers of vestibules, halls, and fireplaces. The tiles were very durable and easy to clean.

These tiles were probably found throughout the halls and corridors of Pershing Barracks when it was constructed. Impact damage and failure of the cement holding the tiles to the concrete slab are probably reasons the tiles were removed. There are loose and missing tiles in the landing of Stair 1, and at least one landing has a significant section of replacement tile.

Bluestone

Bluestone is a sedimentary sandstone, with a clay based matrix.

This sandstone is fine grained dense and gray-blue in color. It is very durable and weather resistant. Deterioration can be caused by delamination, due to too much moisture present, causing expansion and contraction of the clay as well as freeze-thaw damage. Damage at Pershing appears to be limited to impact damage. It has also been painted which may be hiding damage or covering stains.

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Sandstone

Sandstone is a secondary material found as decoration on the brick façade. Sandstone is found as window sills, lintels, as extrados over the rounded windows, at the water-table and a belt-course at the second floor.

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock that is composed of sand-size grains naturally cemented by mineral materials.

Sandstone is a relatively absorbent material.

Plaster

different types of plaster: lime, gypsum and cement. Lime plaster was used fairly exclusively until the end of the 19th century when changes in manufacturing enabled the introduction of gypsum into plaster mixes. Lime plasters were typically installed in three

Lime’s resistance to water enabled it to be applied directly onto masonry in addition to typical lath application.

Deterioration of plaster occurs when water is allowed to infiltrate between the back-up material and the plaster, causing staining, cracking and losses. Additionally, deterioration of plaster occurs due to differences in expansion and contraction of the plaster and the back-up and other adjacent materials, resulting in cracking and loss.

Testing

Survey

Pershing Barracks was inspected by Conservators Mary Jablonski and Helen M. Thomas-Haney on July 24, August 26 and 27, 2014. The exterior inspection was conducted from the ground with the aid of binoculars and using an aerial lift operated by the contracting firm, PCLS. The interior inspection was conducted from the ground. Conditions were noted on drawings and recorded with digital photographs.

Mortar Analysis

Samples of original mortar were removed from open joints at the parapet. A freshly broken surface of the samples was examined under a variable zoom microscope with an external light source equipped with daylight

via wet-chemical techniques.

Soil Color Chart. Predominant colors and shapes of sand grains were noted during examination of the aggregate fractions. 3) Sieve analysis of the sand was performed to determine particle size distribution. The report of the findings of the mortar analysis are pending and will be provided in the 35 percent submission.

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Historic Preservation Findings

Exterior

Roof flashing and drainage

As part of the 1994 EYP restoration, flashing was installed at the parapet level around the building. Along

parapet walls as well.

on the masonry below. The direct cause of the water is

by differential temperatures in the wall from the vents that run vertically in the wall. Further study/analysis is required to determine the cause of the leaching to properly correct it.

In areas where there is cap flashing over the parapet and coping stones, the top edge of several coping stones are spalled. The 1994 EYP drawings show that brass screws within lead sleeves were installed in the bullnose of coping stones, most likely to hold the

Also as part of the 1994 EYP restoration, the copper leaders were restored and new copper leader boxes were fabricated. Missing and broken cast iron leader shoes were replaced. The drains to the copper leader boxes have been closed. In most locations, birds have built nests within the drain niches. Most of the cast iron leader shoes have holes in them.

Vent cap with failed seal

Example of spalled coping stone under cap flashing

Carbonate crusts under the flashing from leaching mortar joints in parapet

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New leader box with sealed drain Cast iron leader shoe with a hole in the bottom

Façade Masonry

In general, the masonry on the façade is in good condition. There are a few windows with cracks in the granite surround.

The granite around the east elevation sally port is

likely do not drain properly. The joints between the roof slabs are filled with mortar, but that mortar is cracked.

The granite brackets and parging under the balcony

three granite slabs. There is a crack down the middle of the middle unit of the balcony floor, which extends through the entire unit and can be seen on the underside of the balcony. The crack may be stable, and there is no associated displacement.

are leaching binder. The joints between and around the bluestone treads are open.

The retaining walls of the two areaways on the southwest corner are bowing in toward the areaway.

Crack in base of window surround

PERSHING BARRACKS FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT ║ FOUO2-14

Crack extended through the thickness of the granite unit

Delaminating parging under the balcony

Flaking granite bracket under the balcony

Roof of east elevation sally port. Note the mortar joint and the accumulation of debris on the right.

Flaking granite at east elevation sally port

PERSHING BARRACKS FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT ║ FOUO 2-15

Crack in balcony floor

South entrance with open joints around the stair treads

Leaching joints below south entrance

Retaining wall around south areaway on west elevation

Retaining wall of areaway on south return of west elevation

PERSHING BARRACKS FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT ║ FOUO2-16

Stairs

The bluestone stairs at all the entrances are delaminating and displaced. The south entrance along the east façade has a significant void under the stairs, which has been said to be the home of some wildlife.

The concrete stairs and landing to the areaway on the south end of the west elevation are in poor condition.

The concrete is spalling, and corrosion stains from the rebar within the concrete are telegraphing through the concrete.

The concrete stairs and landing to the entrance on the north return of the west elevation are in fair condition.

The edges of the steps are eroded and spalled. There are some cracks, and some iron stains, either from the pipe railing or the rebar within the concrete.

Grotesque

The southeast grotesque in the northeast tower is missing. The corner of the belt course above the grotesque has spalled and is currently patched. It is possible that something struck that corner of the tower and broke the grotesque off.

South entrance on east elevation

Entrance on north return of the west elevation

Concrete stairs to the areaway on the south end of the west elevation

Missing grotesque from southeast corner of the northeast tower. Note the spalled corner of the coping stone above.

PERSHING BARRACKS FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT ║ FOUO 2-17

Doors

The doors are in fair to poor condition. The finish on the exterior doors is severely deteriorated, particularly at the bottoms of the doors and around the handles.

Some of the door panels are missing moldings. Several Dutchman repairs are apparent.

Windows

The wood windows are in poor condition, especially the sills. The sills are missing paint and showing signs of rot and UV degradation. The frame and sash elements have peeling paint and some cracks, possibly due to thermal and hygral movement.

A few windows are missing their metal sills.

Railings, Grilles, and Light Fixtures

The railings, grilles, and light fixtures were restored during the 1994 restoration.. These pieces do not match the aesthetic of the other fasteners. Often, the bolts extend beyond the end of its nut, which is not how they were originally done, where the end of the bolt is flush with its nut.

Some of the light fixtures are depositing iron (rust) stains on the granite masonry below.

The pipe railing on the north return of the west elevation is missing a top rail and mid-rail at the landing. There appears to have been a chain that acted as a top rail;

however, the chain is currently lying on the ground.

Bottom of door with worn finish and missing molding

Typical deteriorated wooden sill

Missing metal sills on north elevation New nut and bolt on a wrought iron light fixture

PERSHING BARRACKS FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT ║ FOUO2-18

Chain from north return of west elevationIron stains on granite from corroding fixture above

Plaque in sally port entrance on east elevation

Plaques

The plaques are in good to fair condition. The patina and protective coating on the plaques are starting to fail, and the bronze is corroding.

PERSHING BARRACKS FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT ║ FOUO 2-19

Stair 1

Detail of Stair 1 balustrade

Stair 2, Spiral stair tower

Treads on Stair 2

Stair 6, a secondary and simpler stair, not historic

Interior

Historic Stairs

The historic stairs in Pershing Barracks are in excellent condition. The basic form of the stairs consists of cast iron stringers, risers, and newel post with wrought iron balustrades and wood hand rails. Stairs 3 and 4 are the main stairs in the building. Stairs 1, 2, 5, and 6 function as secondary stairs. Stair 1 wraps around a now defunct elevator cage. The baluster and newel posts are slightly less decorative than those of stairs 3 and 4. The treads are bluestone.

Stair 2 is a cast iron spiral stair in the tower leading to the roof. The stair treads are a reddish sandstone. The cast and wrought iron are now painted white, though it is unknown what the first finish scheme was.

The treads on the Stairs 3 and 4 are yellow terrazzo. A significant number of the treads are chipped and cracked.

At least one tread has a large spall. The chips appear to be from impact damage. Treads have been replaced over the years as can be seen in various yellow-colored terrazzo. A couple of treads have terrazzo patches.

PERSHING BARRACKS FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT ║ FOUO2-20

Typical cracking on terrazzo tread

Typical chips on the edge of the treads Basement stairs made of bluestone

Typical dutchman repair to the handrail

appears to be a replacement. Most of the stair dates to the period of the building’s construction.

The cast iron and wrought iron on all the stairs are in excellent condition, as are the rivet and bolt fasteners. The

The height of the railing does not meet current codes, but they are such a significant feature of the building that should be able to be grandfathered under existing historic preservation criteria and thereby exempted from compliance..

The stairs that lead from the first floor to the basement are constructed of large bluestone units that have been painted gray. The edges of the treads are tooled. The edges of these sandstone steps are also chipped due to impact damage.

PERSHING BARRACKS FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT ║ FOUO 2-21

Terrazzo Floors

There are two colors of terrazzo on the floors of Pershing Barracks: yellow at the stairs and stair halls, and gray in the corridors. The terrazzo on the floors is generally in good condition in the corridors and less so in the stair halls. The terrazzo on the stairs is in poor condition. The terrazzo dates from the 1930s.

Tiled Floors

The landings in Stair 1 are covered with a tile manufactured by American Encaustic Tiling (AET) Company. Most of the landings have loose or missing tiles. Level 1 has the largest area of replaced tile. However, it is possible to find replication tiles to match those that are missing.

Corridor terrazzo flooring, typical

Stair 1, Level 1 with mix of old (at bottom of photo-graph) and replacement tiles

Stair 1, Level 4. Carpet pattern with missing tiles at stair tread

PERSHING BARRACKS FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT ║ FOUO2-22

Arch at Stair 3, third floorArch at Stair 1

Decorative Plaster

There is a limited amount of decorative…