Restoration of the World's Second Largest Cast Iron Dome [Y2]

The wooden dome of the United States Capitol Building was completely replaced with a taller, more imposing cast iron dome in the 1860's. Though the building has been maintained, including a major restoration after 100 years of service, not all of the repairs had fared well over time. The latest restoration effort was the culmination of years of planning and research on the most appropriate ways to repair damage to cast iron. This session will discuss historical cast iron construction techniques, describe the damage observed, review unsuccessful cast-iron repair techniques, and the final types of repairs selected and implemented for the project. Additionally, the challenges of creating access to the work locations will be discussed.

Intended Audience: Engineers, Fabricators, Erectors, Detailers, Architects
Track: Case Study

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