Advanced Materials Research Vol. 778

Abstract: The paper will concerns the design choices agreed between the designers responsible for the structural consolidation and the implementation of safety of the wooden floors of the Ducal Palace in Sabbioneta near Mantova in Italy. The consolidation project and the implementation of safety has been carried out in full compliance with the structural design and materials of existing Renaissance structures with a focus on compatibility, durability, recognizability and reversibility of the process. For the characteristics of these floors and the work done in the design phases, please refer to the contributions of Augelli, Nicola, Petracco, Ronchi [1], to that of Mastropirro [2], to that of Augelli, Bordina, Migliavacca. [3]

Abstract: Timisoara is an important city situated in the westernmost corner of Romania. Its historic core was until late XIX^th century a heavily defended citadel. The Great Synagogue in the Citadel, inaugurated by the Emperor Franz Josef I, is one of the most spectacular buildings of the city. A centrally shaped and domed building, enveloped in “moorish-andalusian” decorated façade, stands out for both the civic dignity of the newly emancipated Jewish community (1865), and its desire to integrate in the modern society. The beautifully ornamented massive brick building, covered by a central skylighted dome and surrounded by vaulted aisles also contains two exceptional wooden structures: the interior balconies including the orgue balcony and the roof structure over the vaults. Both are functional as well as ornamental, structurally and geometrically sophisticated and displaying high levels of craftsmanship. The ongoing project for the restoration of the Synagogue and its conversion into an auditorium revealed the complexities of the wooden structures – the lightweight and delicate balconies were able to sustain hundreds of worshippers for more than a century: the complex roofing system, stretched between the exterior tympans, the skylight of the dome and the exterior profile of the vaults, display elegance and minimalism. Both structures withstood the test of time, neglect and constant seismic activities. Maintaining these structures according to contemporary safety and risk management standards proved to be both a challenging and a rewarding opportunity.

Abstract: The paper deals with problems relating to the assessment, repair and restoration of wooden roof structures in historic buildings. The roofs in two historic buildings located in southern Poland are the subject of this study. Their long use, the lack of proper maintenance, the merely local repairs and replacement of individual elements necessitated urgent repair and restoration measures. Some of the damage had gone unnoticed during routine surveys. All the factors which contributed to the degradation of the roof structures and created a hazard of their collapse are examined. The results of static analyses and calculations of the damaged structures are presented and the ways of strengthening and restoring them are described.

Abstract: This study focuses on the structural behaviour of gothic roof structures. Starting from the case study of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Liège (Belgium), the aim of the research was to identify and understand the reasons and possible consequences of past and future structural distortions for the conservation of this historical timber roof structure.The wooden structure of St. Paul’s Cathedral is an interesting example of a 13^th and 14^th century timber-framed roof. The entire structure has mainly preserved its authentic parts even if transformations and reinforcements were made until mid-20^th century. Today, these interventions must be evaluated from a critical point of view in order to preserve the authenticity of the structure. Two interventions have been studied more particularly. Firstly, the effects of an important neo-gothic restoration made in the 19^th century and secondly, the consolidations of the frames, made after the bombings of WWII. Preliminary studies have proved that these interventions were poorly documented. As often in the past, hidden under the roofs, historic wooden structures were forgotten. However, we found some very interesting texts which have been confronted to an architectural analysis of the building and a study of the pathologies. These surveys have been used to undertake a structural analysis of the gothic roof structure in order to better understand and explain distortions and reinforcements of the frames.Due to biological deterioration, hypotheses on the resistance of wood have been implemented in the 3D models. We paid special attention to the nodes connections in order to evaluate their resistances to shear forces. Our models highlight critical areas which correspond to visible deformations and breakings produced after a bombing in 1945. The influence of the neo-gothic masonry, which encloses the wooden structure, has been also discussed. Due to a high humidity level, important structural degradations are visible on the base of the frames. Therefore, we also focused our attention on the evaluation of resistance of the principal-rafter, directly in contact with the masonry.

Abstract: In this article the authors present a monumental rafter framing of a baroque church in Nowy Kościół Lower-Silesia, Poland. The rafter framing was built in the 18^th century and it was repaired in the middle of the 19^th century by adding some new structural elements. The authors have analyzed the original construction and the reinforced construction from the 19^th century and they found some large destruction of particular elements. In the presented example, the rafter framing required immediate renovation at the time, on account of its very bad technical state. This bad condition resulted from the damage of structural elements during ineffective attempts of repair, which were made in the middle of the 19^th century, and due to a natural ageing process and the destruction of materials. The authors of article suggest renovation of the structural elements by adding in new supporting elements to strength them, which will force modification of reinforced elements work. The authors suggest renovation in such a form, that the monumental character of rafter framing would be preserved.

Abstract: Banesa e Skendulate is part of the historical center of the museum-city of Gjirokastra (Albanian UNESCO World Heritage), an unique and well-preserved example of Albanian urban vernacular architecture influenced by the ottoman architectural style, situated in a strategic position in the valley of the Drino. Banesa e Skendulate represents not only the typical compositional characteristics of this architecture but also a culture and a lifestyle deeply rooted in its own traditions. As its known, historic roofings are load-bearing structures made of timber according to an empirical and intuitive design, without structural engineering theory support, and Banesa e Skendulates roof is a clear example of the posts and beams system and shows the ability of the local craftsmen to deal with the support of heavy stone roofing. In the following paragraphs, will be presented the non-destructive diagnostic testing performed on the wooden structure of the roofing together with a detailed geometric and technological survey in order to recognize the structural system, its behavior and pathology and then process the analytical 3D model. Furthermore, the paper deals with the problem arose as consequence of the interpretation of the results obtained by the diagnostic tests, concerning the determination of the classes of resistance attached to ancient structural wooden elements that, for obvious reasons, cannot be classified according to the strength classes defined by the regulations for new timber constructions. Applying the reference strength values classified for the new timber elements to the historic ones, can cause a heavy penalty in terms of structural safety verification of the roof; that is why the role of the diagnostic test campaign should guide the reinforcement project applying reference values determined on the real conditions of the wooden elements.

Abstract: Technical Museum is one of the most visited Museums in Zagreb (capital of Croatia). The museum presents scientific and educational centre in the field of technical sciences. The entire structure of the Museum is constructed as a timber structure and as such represents a rare existing example of the European engineering concept of expo-halls timber structures with large span (85m x 40 m) from the early 20 century. In this article overview of different NDTs that were performed in order to assess the structural performance of elements is given; moisture ratio and ultrasound investigations are carried out in situ in order to investigate timber condition. Based on the detected state of the structure reconstruction measures are presented.

Abstract: The conservation of historical timber structures requires both the knowledge of structural behavior of complete building and behavior of any single element in structure. Because of a poor communication between the institutions involved in the conservation and restoration of buildings and institutions that urgently require renovation of structures, renovation of historic buildings is often performed inappropriately due to engineering and architectural approach. Buildings are frequently subjected to inappropriate interventions, replacements of structural elements, or even worse, they are demolished. First case study in this paper is Cathedral from Gospic city which was subjected to inappropriate reconstruction in 1990s. Second case study is small traditionally constructed timber chapel in village Lijevi Stefanki which represents a valuable monument of rural cultural heritage.

Abstract: Architecture heritage is one of the most considerable items that create the identity of the city. Architecture heritage transmits to following generation with its original form and special features are the basic principle of conservation. The most characteristic factor for continuity is fixed building materials and building technologies. Through the study; it is analyzed those wood constructions, usage of materials and methods of construction were built in the late 19 century and early 20 century and also hardly accessible in Edirne where the societies lived together with their different national and religious values (Grek, Bulgarian, Armenian, Jewish...). It is intended to secure this cultural heritage with its methods of construction and all details against the danger of extinction and to transmit following generations. Keywords: Wood Construction System, Tradional House, Sustainable Conservation

Abstract: The protection of traditional architectural heritage that witnesses the social and cultural life of a society, and its usage with its original function while protecting its material, construction technique and design, its transmission to next generations while giving new functions if necessary, are important from the perspective of social and cultural sustainability. Edirne, which is chosen as the field of study, had been homeland of civilizations e.g. Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman for years with different national and religious values. Edirne has many traditional houses that reflect the cultural and social life of the city which should be preserved as part of the cultural and architectural heritage. However, due to current changes of socio-cultural and economical circumstances their-inappropriate usage and the wrong restoration practices, the number of traditional houses diminishes. In this study, the state of conservation of the existing wooden houses in Edirne are evaluated. As a case study, a restored building is examined in terms of its measures and practices of protection and according to the compatibility of modern conservation concepts and criteria. Keywords: Wood Construction, Restoration, Traditional House, Edirne