Demolition next to a historic suspension bridge can create tension, but with GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech’s monitoring and expertise, the bridge remained stable from start to finish.
Desmone Architects were hired to demolish the former Wheeling Inn, a five-story building in Wheeling, West Virginia. The hotel was located next to the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, which was constructed in 1849 and is the first long-span wire-cable suspension bridge to be built in the United States. The bridge is known as the finest example of pre-Civil War engineering and is considered one of the world’s most significant and historic bridges. Desmone Architects were concerned about the stability of the bridge and retained GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech to develop a vibration limit for the bridge and its ancillary components. A thorough review of the bridge’s structural drawings, inspection reports, geotechnical reports, demolition plans as well as the proposed demolition methods and equipment were reviewed before developing a vibration criterion for the historic bridge. This vibration monitoring plan predicted vibration levels from the construction equipment and recommended monitoring locations during the planned demolition activity. Once the vibration monitoring plan was developed, GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech installed Re:mote Seismic Monitoring stations at locations indicated in the monitoring plan. Alerts were provided to project personnel when vibration readings reached or exceeded a predetermined warning level. With a precision-based demolition plan, the hotel was demolished without damage to the historic bridge.
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Contact the Western Pennsylvania Office to learn more about this project.