Avalanche control artillery mounts are among the most demanding structural environments in Alaskan construction — subject to recoil loads, extreme cold, wind exposure, and snow burial that few other building types encounter.
The rehabilitation replaced a deteriorated concrete pad and anchor system with a new reinforced concrete foundation designed for the combined live load of the gun's recoil and the 150 mph wind exposure at this mid-mountain location.
A new weathering steel housing protects the mechanical components from direct snow accumulation while allowing ventilation — a material choice that eliminates the maintenance painting cycle required by conventional steel in this aggressive environment.
