Geologic investigation at the site of the post office building, Welch, West Virginia

Statement of Problem:

Cracking in the interior and exterior walls of the post office building at Welch, West Virginia, developed in the summer of 1947. This cracking appeared about two months after the patching of similar cracks that had developed in 1946. The Public Buildings Administration was requested to investigate the damage. They, in turn, requested the Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines to furnish representatives to work with their engineer in determining the cause of the cracking. The press gave widespread publicity to the cracking of walls in the post office and other buildings in Welch.

This report explains how the investigation was conducted, describes topographic, geologic, and mining conditions found during the field examination, and draws conclusions based on the facts observed.