Connecticut River Greenway-Platform structural report-3-30-22-Ryan Hellwig! RYAN S. HELLWIG, PE ! STRUCTURAL ENGINEER !
March 30, 2022
Wayne Feiden, FAICP - Director Planning & Sustainability
City of Northampton
210 Main St - City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
wfeiden@northamptonma.gov
Re:Existing Dock Ramp Platform
Connecticut River Greenway State Park
68 Damon Road
Northampton, MA
Wayne:
The following is a summary of my visit to the site on March 29, 2022. At your request I personally went to
observe the in-situ condition of the existing platform, from which the ramp down to the dock had been
previously removed.
The platform is approximately 10 feet wide and 40 feet long. One end is anchored to a concrete abutment, and
at the time of my visit the other end was sitting about 6 feet above the waterline. There is a hinge 30 feet from
the abutment which extends for the full width of the platform.
The platform undercarriage is a framework of 5" deep aluminum box and channel sections welded together.
The outboard end of this frame is supported on six galvanized 3 inch diameter steel pipes, which are presumably
the tops of helical piles. There are also two galvanized 1-½" square steel tubes set on the diagonal which are
also assumed to be helical piles and which provide lateral bracing for the platform.
In general, the overall condition of the platform structure appeared solid. No distortion was observed in the
elements of the frame. Connections between elements were tight. Welds were intact. In my opinion, the
platform is structurally sound. This assessment is purely qualitative. No calculations or other quantitative
structural analysis have been performed.
Respectfully,
Ryan S. Hellwig, PE
Massachusetts Professional Engineer #37300 - STRUCTURAL
The above statement is based solely on visual observations of existing conditions, and no original drawings or specifications were
available at the time for the above-mentioned structure. Portions of this structure are not exposed to view, and were not observed in
the course of such observations. Such a statement is an expression of the Engineer's opinion, made to the best of the Engineer's
professional knowledge, information and belief. Such a statement of opinion does not constitute a warranty of any kind, either
expressed or implied; nor does this statement relieve the Owner or the Owner’s agents of any responsibility or obligation they may
have by law, by industry standard, or under any contract.
! 18 LINDEN AVENUE ! GREENFIELD, MA 01301 !
! 413 - 774 - 7444 ! rh@rshpe.com !
Existing Dock Ramp Platform Ryan S. Hellwig, PE
Connecticut River Greenway State Park Structural Engineer
Northampton, MA March 30, 2022
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