RE: Hart Road Lime Kiln Heritage Conservation Plan - Structural Review
A letter from consulting engineers providing a structural condition assessment of the lime kiln, noting its poor condition and risk of collapse.
January 31, 2012
Donald Luxton Donald Luxton & Associates Inc. 1030 - 470 Granville Street Vancouver, BC V6C 1V5
Dear Don:
RE: Hart Road Lime Kiln
Heritage Conservation Plan - Structural Review
RJC No.: VIC.105789.P001
As requested, we have performed a Structural Condition Assessment and review of the Structural Integrity of the Hart Road Lime Kiln in View Royal, BC. Our review is based on our observations and measurements on January 12, 2012 and the Terms of Reference supplied by the Town of View Royal.
1.0 STRUCTURE DESCRIPTION
This heritage structure was constructed in the late 1800s and was likely in use until the 1930s. The kiln consists of a rubble stone foundation and fire chamber, with steel lintels over the openings, and a clay masonry chimney with sheet-steel cladding. There is a significant grade change over the site, and soil height slopes approximately 1.2m down from the back of the rubble base to the front. There is no evidence of structural foundations, and the rubble base likely bears on native soil or bedrock.
2.0 STRUCTURAL CONDITION
The structure is in poor repair. The steel chimney cladding has rusted and is falling away from the masonry. The masonry chimney is deteriorating badly due to moisture and weather, and a large tree is growing out of its top, with the roots further damaging the masonry. Portions of the rubble base have collapsed, and the steel lintels are significantly rusted and deteriorated.
3.0 STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY AND CAPACITY
There were no Building Codes in place at the time this structure was built, and construction methods did not account for seismic load resistance. Given that the kiln has survived many winters and wind storms, the structural capacity of the kiln appears to have been sufficient to resist loads due to use, snow and wind over its lifetime. However, the significant deterioration observed has taken its toll on the kiln and the structure has been severely weakened. Portions of the stone base have collapsed, the steel chimney sleeve is rusted and falling away, and the masonry chimney itself is badly deteriorated and in danger of imminent collapse.
Foundations are not visible and therefore have not been evaluated. There does not appear to be evidence of undue settlement of the overall structure. Given the isolation and nature of the structure some future