Eleanor Phetteplace Completes Second Internship with GNCB

GNCB congratulates Eleanor Phetteplace for completing her second summer internship with GNCB. This summer, Ms. Phetteplace continued to grow her experience and skills in structural and preservation engineering through her work with GNCB. She worked on a variety of projects offering her new experiences in the field. Additionally, Ms. Phetteplace, along with Design Engineer Zoe Laird , participated in a geotechnical workshop with GNCB’s geotechnical engineer David Freed , P.E. this summer.

At the start of the summer, Ms. Phetteplace worked on a plaster ceiling condition assessment at CitySpace , located in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Her work on historic structures also included a house survey of a 1740’s timber-framed cape in Middletown, CT. This experience required the use of documentation, engineering judgment, and technical writing. Ms. Phetteplace was heavily involved in the investigation and formulation of construction documents for the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (The Kate). During fieldwork, she was able to improve her skills in observation and site documentation and extended her experience in preservation knowledge. Her work with The Kate also required material research into historic cast stone.

In addition to site investigation, Ms. Phetteplace was given a more involved role in the construction administration and design elements of projects than the previous summer. This included but was not limited to field reports, photo documentation, and review of submittal shop drawings. Ms. Phetteplace also designed structural members and connections. Projects ranged from new construction projects such as Homewood Suites in Hadley, Massachusetts to rehabilitation and reuse projects such as the renovation for the new CheckWriters Payroll building in Northampton, Massachusetts. Ms. Phetteplace also continued to improve computer design and analysis skills in programs such as Revit, Risa3D, TEDDS, and Forte.

Ms. Phetteplace will return to Roger Williams University (RWU) for her final year of her undergraduate degree. At RWU, she will be starting her senior design project and courses in bridge design, geotechnical engineering, and engineering economics.