Remove,
Relocate,
or Replace
Heavy
Elements
Cornices,
corbels,
and other
architectural
elements
are common
among
historic,
unreinforced
masonry
structures.
Such
elements
are
generally
constructed
of stone
or other
heavy,
brittle
materials
and often
fail due
to poor
anchorage
or
bracing. Stone
awnings
and
decorative
features
may not
have
proper
anchorage
or
reinforcement.
The dead
weight
added by
these
elements
can
increase
lateral
forces. To
reduce
damage,
heavy
non-structural
elements
should be
minimized.
Such
elements
may be
removed,
relocated,
or
replaced
using
lighter
materials,
or
replaced
with an
independent
structure.
Effectiveness:
Limitations:
- Lighter
replacement
elements
or
independent
structures
are
still
subject
to
damage.
Replace
Stone
Facing
With
Lighter
Material
Stone
facing and
precast
concrete
wall
panels
typically
fail where
anchorage
is poor or
at
sections
of the
building
that
experience
large
deflections.
Earthquakes
can cause
the heavy
stone
facings of
buildings
to shake
loose and
fall. The
dead
weight
added to
the
structure
by the
stone
facing can
increase
seismic
forces.
Heavy
stone
facing can
be
replaced
with
lighter
materials
such as
lightweight
concrete,
shotcrete,
cement
plaster
(stucco)
or a stone
veneer.
Many of
these
materials
can be
applied
directly
to the
building
and
reinforced
using
steel or
wire mesh.
Effectiveness:
Limitations:
- Lighter
replacement
materials
are
still
subject
to
damage.
Considerations:
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