Texas Survey July 2025 - Flipbook - Page 24
WEST TEXAS
Design Challenges
Unlike the ancient builders, we had modern surveying tools at our disposal — but we also had to
account for practical constraints. The limestone slabs, each weighing between 12,000 and 20,000
pounds, were all different shapes and sizes. I worked closely with the crane operators and stone
fabricators to develop a plan for setting each stone vertically and aligning them with the intended
solar and lunar alignments.
Another layer of complexity came from the irregularities in the quarried limestone. Since no two
stones were perfectly uniform, I had to modify the CAD model after field measurements of the
individual slabs were taken. We customized the layout in real-time so the visual proportions and
alignments remained true to the intended design.
Construction Coordination
The installation was a carefully choreographed operation involving surveyors, crane crews, welders
(for the hidden support frames), and university staff. I remained on site daily to verify the layout
and adjust positions as each stone was set. Even small deviations could throw off the symmetry or
compromise the alignment, so precision was paramount.
Engineering the Site Experience
Beyond the surveying and alignment, I was also responsible for producing the engineering plans
for the entire site. That included the design of the sidewalk layout that encircles the stone
arrangement, providing accessibility and encouraging thoughtful movement around the
monument.
Each stone slab foundation was individually detailed in my plans to support the weight and shape
of the unique limestone monolith it would hold. Because the stones varied in size and base profile,
no two slab designs were exactly alike. Some required additional footing depth or bearing area to
safely support the weight, especially for the taller vertical stones near the center of the
arrangement.
Lighting was another critical component. I designed a low-profile illumination plan that highlights
the stones from below, creating dramatic shadows at night while avoiding light spill that could
interfere with the monument’s naturalistic setting or its intended celestial alignments.
The engineering design was supervised by John Landgraf and Murray Crutcher, who provided
oversight and guidance throughout the process. Their experience and leadership ensured that the
structural and civil design components were both practical and aligned with the project’s vision.
Legacy
The UTPB Stonehenge replica has since become a fixture of the campus — a place for students to
study, locals to visit, and schoolchildren to explore. It also stands as a testament to what land
surveying can accomplish when paired with historical research, artistic vision, and engineering
expertise.
Designing and surveying this structure was more than a job — it was a rare blend of science,
symbolism, and engineering. From aligning ancient solar paths to relocating modern infrastructure,
from staking monoliths to engineering their foundations, it challenged every skill I had as a land
surveyor and civil designer. To this day, it remains one of the projects I’m most proud of — not just
for how it turned out, but for what it represents: the power of geometry, intention, and precision to
connect us to something timeless.
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