Examining the Capitol Dome

by Eric C. Stovner, P.E., (M.ASCE), Assoc.; LZA Tech., Tustin, CA,
Emmanuel E. Velivasakis, P.E., (F.ASCE), Sr. Vice Pres.; LZA Tech., New York,
Charles H. Thornton, P.E., (Hon.M.ASCE), Chmn.; LZA Tech., New York,
Glenn G. Thater, Proj. Dir.; LZA Tech., New York,
Christopher P. Pinto, (A.M.ASCE), Sr. Engr.; LZA Tech., New York,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 2000, Vol. 70, Issue 10, Pg. 38-43,78


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

The dome of the United States Capitol, designed and built from the 1850s to the 1860s, is a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering and construction. The majority of the dome is made of cast iron; the remaining elements are wrought iron. LZA Technology, a division of the Thornton-Tomasetti Group, utilized investigative techniques in the practice of forensic engineering to perform a comprehensive structural analysis of the dome and concluded that the dome was brilliantly designed and constructed and that the dome is structurally sound and capable of resisting all reasonably anticipated loadings.

Subject Headings: Domes (structure) | Structural analysis | Government buildings | Forensic engineering | Construction engineering | Structural engineering | Load factors

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