Advanced Materials Research Vol. 778

Abstract: Torino, in 1861, was the first capital of the just unified Reign of Italy. In the same year, Eng. A. Mazzucchetti was charged for the design of the railway station of Porta Nuova in Torino, in correspondence of the arrival of the railway connecting Genova. The original conception resembles the bilateral scheme of the King Cross station in London, which is few years older. The design and construction of the station deserved contributions from the most outstanding scientists of that time, including R. Sephenson who provided the details of the lateral roof structures of the station, and the young Eng. A. Castigliano who defended his thesis on the design of the great steel vault above the rails. The two main branches were conceived with masonry bearing structure and a wide span timber roof covered with stone plates. The station, during the years, was object of several interventions, including restorations, dismantling of parts, and changes in the destination of use. Nowadays, the roof structure needs for important maintenance interventions due to the water leaking which caused the deterioration of the beneath timber structure. The present holders are considering the replacement of the entire roof. This solution is not respectful for conservation criteria, nor is affordable from an economical point of view. The present study describes the correct and sustainable approach for the structural assessment, restoration and maintenance program for the preservation of this important structure belonging to cultural heritage.

Abstract: We present the refurbishment work on a 200-year-old timber structure the principal cupola on top of the main building of the Vienna University of Technology (VUT). Retrofitting plans for this structure included a different use of the space underneath the cupola and leaving the ancient timber construction visible. This called for an examination of the quality of the ancient wood material, the development of modern safety concepts for fire and earthquake incidents within the modified use scenario, additional constructional measures to fulfil the requirements of these new concepts and doing an up-to-date structural analysis following the regulations given by the Eurocodes.

Abstract: Widespread survey, aiming at the evaluation of both vulnerability of the structures and usability of the buildings, have been carried out after the seismic events occurred on May 2012 in Emilia-Romagna districts. During the surveys, several cover typologies have been verified, which often evidenced lack in terms of earthquake-proof features. In contrast, some ancient timber roofs showed an original construction technology, according to the seismic mitigation measures. Clearly, the attention to the behaviour of the covering structures against the horizontal actions was due to the historic memory related to earthquakes occurred in the past or simply due to a good construction practice lost during the following years.This paper it is devoted to explain the analysis campaign carried out on an ancient timber covering structure located in the historic centre of the town of Cento (FE), aiming at the characterisation of its seismic behaviour. The study consists on three subsequent steps: 1) in-depth visual and geometrical survey; 2) in-situ non-destructive tests for material characterization; 3) Finite Element modelling of the complex structure.

Abstract: In 2011 the collapse of one of the timber pillars that form the structure of the centuries-old warehouse of maceration that the firm "Bodegas Bilbaínas, S. A." helds in the town of Haro (La Rioja), occurred.This paper describes the most significant pathological processes existing in this nave, associated mainly to its wooden components.Then, according to the level of decay, the assessment of the damage in the different elements of the timber frame through nondestructive testing is analyzed, including the constructive and environmental conditions of the cellar.Finally, based on the results obtained, it is proposed the repair process and the design measures necessary to preserve the timber structure, taking into account the heritage significance and the extension of the harm of their components.

Abstract: The presented work is intended to be an international overview on the most important conservative project of naval heritage. As it was immediately clear that mostly concerns ancient shipwrecks' structures which came from underwater environment and made of waterlogged wood, the analysis has therefore focused on waterlogged wood conservation and reinforcement. Based on the state of the art in the field of conservation and management of ancient ships some considerations can be made. The conservation of artefacts coming from the underwater environment has began in the mid XX^th century and developed through a great deal of effort which has resulted in a strong improvement of scientific and multidisciplinary research. Case-studies are various and it is clear that conservative approaches and choices are, sometimes, in contrast: an improvement of the state of the art in this particular field is therefore actual. The considered examples concern different experiences both in historical features and in their conservative tracks. In the selection different situations were taken into account, in order to get to a proper analysis of conservation and on how methods and protocols may have evolved over the years. On one side the research dealt with the waterlogged wood, on the other the goal was establish a method applicable to a wider context. In the case of the last two structures taken into account, it was to check whether the same multi-phase and multidisciplinary approach recorded could be appropriate to achieve, even in this case, the common purpose of heritage conservation.

Abstract: The settlement of the American West was directly dependent on the extraction of resources including minerals, precious metals, timber, and the commerce that resulted. The infrastructure that developed around these extraction activities was intended to be merely functional, and therefore temporary. Readily available forest resources made timber structures relatively inexpensive and easy to build; they could be put into service quickly and were adequate to immediate needs. Many of these structures survive today at former mining and milling sites, along with remnants of the railroad lines that served them. Together they provide a compelling picture of the development of the American West and the technologies used to extract, refine, and transport the materials that initiated settlement of the region. Preservation of these sites and structures poses many interesting problems: Most of the structures were designed to meet short-term needs and have already outlasted their intended service life; Most of the structures were strictly utilitarian, and maintenance of them was discontinued when mining or logging operations ceased; Exposure of these structures to severe weather conditions is typical. The structures are at remote sites and access is extremely limited; Many of the structures are dangerous due to the extent of deterioration and proximity to open mines, adits, and industrial waste. In this presentation, the authors will use three case studies to illustrate preservation issues common to remote resource extraction sites, techniques used to access the timber structures, and some of the stabilization strategies implemented at each of the sites. The case studies include the aerial tramway of the Keane Wonder Mine in Death Valley National Park, the Cable Mountain Draw Works in Zion National Park, and the Hanging Flume in Colorado.

Abstract: The development of epoxy resins has provided new methods of reparation of timber structural elements. This material is moldable and applicable in situ, can be used in the majority of wood species and for its fluency can be introduced for any hollow, fissure or pore, joining the healthy material provided with the structural element existent [. These methods allow to recover the load capacity of deteriorated timber structures with sufficient security, working jointly the resin and timber [. The most used reinforcements are metallic elements and fibreglass with epoxy resins. The reinforcements of timber elements, which employ timber as resistant material, are less usual [, but these have been employed for repairing the damaged timber elements of the building case of study, called Cal Trepat in Tàrrega (Spain). The repairing technique employed in the structural elements was through wood graftings and epoxy resins, in which were improved the load capacity of the timber structures repaired, with a very low visual impact, showing that is a good solution and promoting this reparation between architects and engineers.

Abstract: We illustrate the evolution of our systems for the restoration of old timber structures, devised to make up for the often operationally impractical purely theoretical concepts. These alternative systems are commonly accepted because they are effective and maintain the same readability as ancient knowledge did. We are using similar techniques to restore static conditions to damaged laminated timber structures, too.

Abstract: Lounge bridges in Taishun are a special type of Chinese traditional timber structure. Wenxing Lounge Bridge is a famous bridge of them. The analysis of structural performance and damages for Wenxing Lounge Bridge is the foundation of its repair and reinforcement. The performance degradation of wood material and the action of strong external force and the effect of environmental changing and the factor of unfavorable human-activity have continuously accelerated the damage of the bridge. After visiting local craftsmen, building technics and detailed conformations of the bridge are researched. The FEM analyses on the structure before damaged and after damaged are carried out respectively. Damages reasons of the bridge are then generally analyzed and repair design of the bridge is also presented.

Abstract: The problem of wood-boring insect attacks is gaining greater interest in Italy today. Wood-boring insects (Coleoptera, termites) often cause both structural and aesthetic damage on wooden structures which can sometimes give rise to human health concerns. Possible causes of current insect infestations include the use of timber originating from plantations, as well as bad post-felling practices such as late harvesting and stocking in unsuitable places before final processing. In the past, these insects were not thought to pose an economic threat to timber in service in Italy, but, in recent years, they have become a problem. The aim of this paper is to report on case studies concerning the occurrence of these unusual wood-boring insects on timber in service and, on the basis of the Authors experience, to formulate an in situ inspection protocol. The species we are dealing with in the case studies are: Bostrichus capucinus, family Bostrichidae, associated with Lyctus spp. (Fam. Lyctidae) and Lymexylon navale, family Lymexylonidae, belonging to the group of the so-called ambrosia beetles or pinhole borers. All these species were found on hardwoods, where they had bored into the sapwood except for L. navale which was also able to bore into heartwood, causing major concerns about its potential danger to timber in service. A technical integrated approach in evaluating insect attacks on on-site timber elements is also described here. The assessment is based on different methods, i.e. visual inspection and acoustic detection. This procedure is proposed as a basis for the development of an intervention protocol in the early stages of infestation.