Tech Talk #3: Stone Weathering

Lecture #1: Advanced Weathering Testing for Stone at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

Presenter: Taryn Williams, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, sited high on the wall of Puowaina Crater in Honolulu, HI, was completed by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) in 1964. As part of the evaluation of two types of limestone as replacement candidates, we conducted accelerated weathering testing to determine whether the color of the limestone samples would change perceptibly after cyclic exposure to moisture and ultraviolet (UV) light. Although there is no ASTM standard for accelerated weathering testing of stone specifically, we followed the general guidelines for accelerated weathering testers provided by ASTM G151 and G154 in developing our testing protocol.

Lecture #2: Weathering Time - Mount Greylock Memorial Tower’s Legacy for Past, Present and Future Generations

Presenters: Helena M. Currie, PE and Rachel M. Lynde, PE, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger

This presentation tells the captivating restoration journey of the Mount Greylock War Memorial Tower, a historic beacon perched at the highest point in Massachusetts where it is subjected to a microclimate with relentless weather extremes. Following the principles of resiliency, adaptability, and ingenuity that underpin successful preservation efforts, this case study fosters dialogue at the intersection of traditional practices and progressive ideas in heritage conservation. We invite our audience to delve into the complexities of preserving historic landmarks when faced with adverse environments and tight project constraints, as well as highlight opportunities to convert many of these project challenges into community engagement and support.

Continuing Education: 2.0 LU AIA CES credits will be offered for this Tech Talk.

Please note: Video will be recorded.

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This program is part of our Tech Talk series:

Tech Talk #1: Digital Technologies 10/21
Tech Talk #2: Tower Restoration 11/04
Tech Talk #3 Stone Weathering 11/21
Tech Talk #4 Metals Preservation 12/05