Project Details

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The Structures Group, Inc. (TSG) provided a forensic review and structural analysis of the existing timber deck located within the James Fort at Jamestown Settlement, a state-operated history museum which interprets the European settlement of Jamestown during 1610 to 1614.  As part of the 400^th anniversary celebration for the founding of Jamestown, a 2,500 lb. screen monitor was proposed to be placed on an existing timber deck to be used in a live web broadcast to a nationwide audience of school children.

TSG’s review and analysis concentrated on the structural capacity of the existing elevated timber deck, situated within the replica of the Jamestown Fort, which supports heavy 15^th century cannons. The structural analysis of the deck structure was made particularly challenging due to the period construction methods used in the initial construction of the deck, which were intended to be consistent with the original framing practices and materials of the 15^th century. An engineering report delineating  observations and recommendations for remedial repairs  designed to provide for the secure support of the proposed screen monitor, in addition to the existing 15^th century cannon, allowed for the successful nationwide web broadcast of Jamestown’s 400^th anniversary celebration.

Client/Contact:

Jack Brown

Production Manager
Prosody Creative Services
Williamsburg, VA