Repair and Restoration of Assembly Hall Roof

Abstract

During the early expansion of western America a group of Mormon pioneers came to the Great Salt Lake valley in covered wagons, arriving in July of 1847. Here they began to build a city. In the center of the city they established a Temple Square, on which a building called the “Assembly Hall” was built in 1877. After 100 yr of service life three of the six roof trusses failed for no apparent reason. After much study, it was determined the unique structure could be restored without destroying its artistic or historic value. Under a construction management program, a select group of experienced and skilled craftsmen completed the restoration. The unique and indeterminate roof structures had failed in the heel joints and main tensile members. The general solution was to replace the failed connections and members with steel straps and heel connections. Bob beams and structural diaphragms were constructed to upgrade the safety of the structure, all as part of the restoration. The project proceeded on time and within budget during the fall of 1980.