4. 2021-05 Roundhouse Structual Assessment! RYAN S. HELLWIG, PE ! STRUCTURAL ENGINEER !
May 10, 2021
Dorrie Brooks, AIA
Principal
Jones Whitsett Architects
308 Main Street, 3RD Floor
Greenfield, MA 01301
db@joneswhitsett.com
Re:Preliminary Structural Report
The Roundhouse
Northampton MA
Dorrie -
Please accept the following summary of my visit to the above-mentioned building. On April 27
April, 2021 I personally viewed all accessible areas of the structure.
The Roundhouse consists of two distinct masses with a connector. One mass is round and the other
is rectangular. The building was reportedly built in 1856, although it appears that the rectangular one
was constructed later. There was a major renovation in 1986.
The structural systems consist of the following:
Exterior bearing walls are thick, unreinforced brick masonry.
Floors are primarily constructed with steel beams and concrete slabs. There are small areas with
wood-framed infill The top floor of the rectangular building is frame with wood.
The roof of the round building is steep, and has a cupola. The rafters are dimension lumber. The
thrust of the rafters is resisted by six steel rods.
The roof of the rectangular building is gabled. The rafters are covered by finishes and are not
visible. Light steel trusses support the roof system.
In general the condition of the buildings appears sound. Some particular areas were noted:
1.Bowed exterior walls on the rear of the round building. These appear to have been
stabilized.
2.Crack monitors were visible along the side of the rectangular building, and differential
settlement along that wall is evident. It may have stabilized. These monitors should
! 18 LINDEN AVENUE ! GREENFIELD, MA 01301 !
! VOICE = 413 - 774 - 7444 ! EMAIL = rshpe@crocker.com !
Preliminary Structural Report
The Roundhouse
Northampton MA
May 10, 2021
continue to be checked in the future.
3.Old masonry exterior walls need continual maintenance. Any work should use
appropriate materials, especially mortars for repointing.
4.The roof of the round building has been retrofitted with steel columns. The roof
surface appears to sag in between these posts. This condition is likely stable, but
should be monitored.
5.A doorway was cut into the top of the round building wall, at the connection to the
rectangular building, the top of the opening cut through the sill of the wall, which is a
tension ring, holding in the bottoms of the rafters. This is also probably stable. Given
the steep pitch and slate surface, it is doubtful that there is ever any snow on the roof,
so the loads are constant and consist only of the dead weight.
6.Many columns have been added in the basement, presumably as part of the 1986
renovation. The floor slab is new, and the repairs all seem solid.
7.Much of the lower level of the round building was rebuilt with wood, possibly in 1986
as well. This also looks solid.
8.There is some dampness noticeable in the basement, and a sump pump was running
intermittently. Brick masonry is porous, and therefore humidity levels will be high
unless controlled. It is possible that there was so much moisture in the air that the floor
above was severely compromised and had to be replaced.
Given the age of the buildings, they appear to be in good shape. Certain areas should be monitored
in the future.
In terms of the building code, these structures are grandfathered unless significant changes are
proposed. Anything that might weaken the them or increase their loading would have to be treated
as new construction, and its capacity analyzed. This can be challenging for concrete structures,
which depend on steel reinforcing for strength. In an existing concrete building, the reinforcing must
be investigated, preferably using non-destructive techniques.
Respectfully,
Ryan Hellwig
Massachusetts Professional Engineer #37300 - STRUCTURAL
enclosures:(8) photographs
Page 2 of 2