Work

Old Faithful Inn

Our goal is to hide, encapsulate and enclose the system, so (the inn) looks like it does when it was built.”

Protecting a National Historic Landmark in Yellowstone for Another 100 Years

In 2001, the Old Faithful Inn - originally built in 1904 - underwent a multi-phase, multi-year renovation to bring the structure to current building code and seismic compliance. Yellowstone Park’s sole intention: to make the A-frame lodging last for another 100 years and maintain its historic, rustic style.

DCI+BCE Engineers conducted load testing on existing and upgraded log wall interfaces for the building. The results informed the team on how to support the lateral system with a supplemental pinning strategy which could be artistically disguised or hidden from view. Exterior logwork also hides the new steel framing supporting the porte-cochere. The project team also reattached the distinctive dormers throughout the building which were ripped from the main roof after years of large snow load exertion.

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Location:
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
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Stories:
3
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Service:
Structural
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Industries:
Historic, Seismic/Adaptive Renovation
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Primary Material:
Masonry, Wood
Work

Renovating a national treasure to last another 100 years

The goal of the project was to bring the Old Faithful Inn into code compliance while respecting the historic fabric of the landmark lodge. To preserve the look of the inn, the project team was encouraged to apply “artistic disguising” for new structural elements. All construction was completed during the winter months when the inn was closed for the season.

Project Highlights

  • New steel beams installed in the existing structure to support the lobby and dining room roofs.
  • New steel pipe/plate bearing connections were installed into place to upgrade the lobby truss connection.
  • Upgraded roof and floor diaphragms with additional sheathing.
  • Replaced and reinforced log walls with structural pinning.
  • Installed structural steel moment frames into log beams and columns to withstand more extreme lateral loads.
  • Retrofitted light gage steel braces to the existing interior shear walls.
  • Stiffened the end walls with a combination of laminated veneer lumber studs, steel T-beams, and structural plywood for both in-plane and out-of-plane forces.
Old Faithful Inn_20081009 ofinn 233 web

DCI worked on all phases of the project’s structural renovation, such as upgrading the lateral systems in the main lobby, installing new steel framing to support the porte-cochere, and restoring the dormers throughout the roof areas. Truss connections on the lobby log trusses were re-designed to remove struts installed in the 1940s. The log walls were replaced in areas and all walls were reinforced with structural pinning. Supplemental pinning was strategically placed away from view or to appear as natural knots. The dining room truss connection was upgraded with a new high-strength cable. Specific areas have structural steel moment frames which were embedded in log beams and columns to withstand extreme lateral loads.

A Structure Magazine Feature

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Tom Beaudette

Principal Emeritus

PE

Structural Engineering can be a very rewarding profession and I have found it to be so. However, the most rewarding aspect has been developing clients and contractors that I can truly say are good, lifelong friends."

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