A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Characteristics and Preservation of Civilian Conservation Corps Construction in the United States
Abstract The need to employ millions of unemployed U.S. workers during the 1930’s Great Depression led to two major “New Deal” programs in the United States: the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). These programs were responsible for construction, in a relatively short period of time, of an impressive amount of public-purposed buildings, from City Halls to water treatment plants, to roads and bridges, and a diverse and comprehensive series of park structures. These historical constructions were built with mostly untrained workers under the guidance of trained supervisors, using predominately standardized designs modified for local conditions, and constructed with locally available field-gathered materials such as stone, log, and earth. These constructions were built quickly, yet the vast majority are still in place and performing their functions admirably. The primary current condition problem is the original use of Portland cement and the apparent expectation that it was waterproof and its use was sufficient, without reinforcement, for structural cohesion without following traditional masonry bonding and coursing requirements. Assessment of the condition of many of these constructions yields important conclusions of the longer-term conditions of the materials, particularly as was constructed in ways not generally implemented today. Of importance, the original program is replicable with some modifications to reflect the best use of materials and designs while maintaining a high degree of historic authenticity.
Characteristics and Preservation of Civilian Conservation Corps Construction in the United States
Abstract The need to employ millions of unemployed U.S. workers during the 1930’s Great Depression led to two major “New Deal” programs in the United States: the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). These programs were responsible for construction, in a relatively short period of time, of an impressive amount of public-purposed buildings, from City Halls to water treatment plants, to roads and bridges, and a diverse and comprehensive series of park structures. These historical constructions were built with mostly untrained workers under the guidance of trained supervisors, using predominately standardized designs modified for local conditions, and constructed with locally available field-gathered materials such as stone, log, and earth. These constructions were built quickly, yet the vast majority are still in place and performing their functions admirably. The primary current condition problem is the original use of Portland cement and the apparent expectation that it was waterproof and its use was sufficient, without reinforcement, for structural cohesion without following traditional masonry bonding and coursing requirements. Assessment of the condition of many of these constructions yields important conclusions of the longer-term conditions of the materials, particularly as was constructed in ways not generally implemented today. Of importance, the original program is replicable with some modifications to reflect the best use of materials and designs while maintaining a high degree of historic authenticity.
Characteristics and Preservation of Civilian Conservation Corps Construction in the United States
Feinberg, John (author) / Michael Schuller, P. E. (author)
2019-01-01
9 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
| Engineering Index Backfile | 1934