Jim Hursey Memorial Stadium

BRIDGETON HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM

CLIENT
Watson & Henry Associates

LOCATION
Bridgeton, New Jersey

STRUCTURE
The Bridgeton High School Stadium, dedicated to Jim Hursey, is a reinforced concrete structure built in 1939 under the Works Process Administration Project. The Stadium is 195 feet long and contains five access points…two vomitories and three external concrete stairs. The structure consists of twenty footboards and risers of varying width to maximize sightlines. The risers span approximately 17 feet between the concrete girders which are supported by four rows of concrete columns. The grandstand area is divided into three independent sections by two transverse expansion joints. Storage areas, locker rooms, and restrooms are located beneath the grandstand.

CHALLENGE
We were retained by Watson & Henry Associates in the spring of 2009 as a structural engineering consultant. Through a collaborative effort, the focus of our investigation was to identify and locate areas of localized concrete deterioration, concrete spalling, exposed and corroded reinforcement steel, and other vulnerabilities...with the ultimate goal being to stabilize, maintain, and extend the stadium’s life.

SCOPE OF SERVICE

Survey and investigate the stadium.
Identify surface and body conditions throughout the reinforced concrete structure.
Provide photographic documentation, survey points, and locations of deterioration on schematic drawings.
Analyze and assess the existing conditions.
Identify concrete repair methodologies, determine the causes of deterioration, select repair methods and materials, and develop a concrete repair schedule.
Prepare construction documents and specifications.
Provide support through the bidding process and construction administration.

SOLUTION

Develop a highly detailed spreadsheet identifying the location on the building, the condition, the type and volume of each required repair in order to assist the contractor during the reconstruction process. This spreadsheet corresponds to the detailed AutoCAD drawings that Watson & Henry Associates prepared for the structure.
Our design approach in repairing the concrete was to respect the existing fabric of the stadium while, at the same time, prolonging the useful life of the structure.