Report: OK Capitol Dome Showing Significant Cracks
Oklahoma’s 12-year-old Capitol Dome is significantly cracked
by Rick Green, NewsOK.com
Engineers have discovered significant cracking in the cast stone panels that form the exterior of Oklahoma’s Capitol dome, completed amid much fanfare just 12 years ago.
“Cracks exist at a total of 172 units, or approximately 10 percent of all cast stone units on the dome. Most of the cracks occur at the base of the dome,” stated a report by Wiss, Janner, Elstner Associates, or WJE, a Chicago company that did a detailed examination of the building’s exterior as a prelude to repair work.
A core was drilled through one of the panels, and a crack was found to run through the full thickness of the man-made rock.
John Estus, a spokesman for the state Office of Management and Enterprise Services, said Tuesday the discovery was a surprise. The reason for the cracks in the relatively new structure and what should be done about them are yet to be determined.