Advanced Materials Research Vol. 778

Abstract: In Indonesia, a number of race people have theiroriginal architectural culture of traditional timber houses. Most of them havesurvived against large earthquakes in such seismic areas. As they have beenmaintained by the traditional ways so far, it is worth preserving them from ahistorical point of view. The purpose of the present research is to evaluatethe structural characteristics specific to the traditional wooden houses in SouthNias, located to the west of Sumatra. Furthermore, structural restoration usingthe traditional techniques was discussed to propose appropriate methods for thestructural conservation. The traditional timber houses in South Nias that havesurvived against large earthquakes are characterized by an elevated-floorstructure with large diameter columns and braces under the floor. In thepresent international collaborative study, we performed micro-tremormeasurements to evaluate their fundamental dynamic characteristics. As well as,we conducted architectural structural survey to study the structuralcharacteristics and to detect the material’s deterioration. Furthermore, weconducted monitoring of temperature and humidity in the roof structures to knoweffect of the climate conditions on the wooden materials. Material mechanical testsof timbers which used for structure were also conducted to examine thestrength.

Abstract: In this paper a study is presented about timber frames structures in Dolomites area. A wood timber frame construction system spans across a very long period in time and across a broad geographical area. The construction elements have guaranteed longevity to structures located in very different areas, under a geographical, climatic and seismic point of view. In most frames cases, it is the masonry that constitutes the filling. This construction system in Europe has been used both for dwelling and work buildings. Timber frames solutions have been chosen according to local traditions, historical and economical context. This construction procedure is widespread present in the area of the Dolomites; in particular in the valleys nearby Cortina DAmpezzo, where environment conditions are particularly severe: traditional constructions used to combine the dwelling part with the barn. These buildings are nowadays, in a lot of cases, abandoned and there is no sign of interest as for a new use of them due to many changes, such as the disappearing of grazing and agriculture activities, the consequences of modern living on environment. Aim of this paper is to present a new kind of building (designed for housing), entirely wood framed (static function), filled with masonry (environmental comfort) and preserving the features of traditional buildings: proportions of the housing and of the frames, visible frame structure. The environmental comfort is provided by interior masonry filled frames. The paper presents the thermohygrometric analysis of the walls, the structural verifications of the main elements constituting the frame and the connections between them. Finally, attention is drawn to the aspect of durability indicating the proposed protective measures.

Abstract: The wooden house in Bucovina evolved over hundreds if not thousands of years of permutations and assimilations to reach, by the end of the XIX^th century, a coherent and rich original style that was diffused throughout the region. With a name derived from the Slavic word buk that means beech, the region thus named land of beech trees has always been and continues to be a very rich source of wood. Unsurprisingly, this was the material of choice for the houses in the land. Constructed entirely in wood, including apparent beams to the interior and exterior and wood shingles for the roof, the traditional house in Bucovina elevated the craftsmanship of woodwork to the level of an art. This is obvious when analyzing the constructive details or the ornaments that adorn the windows or the columns of the porch. Similar to the houses of the Moldavian region, on which the style originates, the pattern for the house in Bucovina implies larger dimensions, due to the abundance of the material, larger windows, classical proportions and the use of specific decorative elements. The wooden houses evolved for thousands of years, so the people who built them got an empirical knowing of the material that helped them adopt in time the best measures to insure the durability of the constructions. This article analyses the style characteristics of the house in Bucovina and focuses on the means of constructions that ensured the durability of this dwellings. It is with the purpose of learning from a historical pattern that proved its durability in time and establishing the rules for constructing today with the same material and in the same climatic conditions, those of Bucovina.

Abstract: The lack of knowledge of the structural behaviour and performances of timber structures often led to their loss and substitution with modern structures, or to invasive strengthening works. Ignorance is a cause of the loss of these structures also because the absence of recognition of their value does not give rise the need for their conservation. Just because ignorance is one of the main causes of loss of this heritage, knowledge is the first goal to be reached aiming to its preservation. The most important source of knowledge of an existing structure is its direct survey. The in situ investigations should aim to collect data about many aspects of the structure: general geometry and details of single members, internal joints, and metal reinforcements; wooden species and defects; evidences of decay; deformations or displacements; but also relation with other structural elements or systems, signs of timber processing, indications of the reuse of materials, etc. All the gathered data should allow an interpretation of the gradual change in time of the structure’s physical reality, of its technological conception and of its structural behaviour since the original design by the carpenter or engineer, trough the subsequent works or “natural” evolutions, unto the current state.

Abstract: The Valdese church of Florence was built in the second half of the XIX century as the Anglican Church of the local rich British community, reaching the actual status of Valdese church in 1967.

Abstract: Paper discusses large size canvas paintings stretching methods and deformations and damages specific for large canvas resulting from an incorrect stretching. Analysis of the preservation state of a wooden stretcher construction and its functionality was an important step in development of the program of conservation work. The case study of M. H Loders painting "Adoration of the Magi" (XVIII c.) from the cathedral Saint - Aubain in Namur (Belgium) is presented. The painting is exhibited 5,5 m above the floor and has a unique shape, as the wooden stretcher frame is adjusted to the round apse walls. Thus usual direct inspection was difficult due to poor access to the reverse side of the painting. Preliminary conclusions on the construction and preservation state of the stretcher frame were drawn on the basis of a thorough inspection of the painting surface. Actual shape of the painting and precise stretchers dimensions were measured with a laser scanner. More information concerning the stretcher frame construction was obtained from a simple micro-camera system combined with LED lighting introduced from the canvas reverse side.

Abstract: The article describes diverse solutions used in the construction of antique wooden beam-structure floors and analyses the viability of their application in reconstructions. The function of the individual layers of their structure is analysed by: 1.Comparing elasticity (shock absorption in accordance to the PN EN 14808:2005 standard) of floors with continuous support (joists lying on a mineral base and joists placed on a layer of sand) with parquets that have punctual support. 2.Comparing the elasticity of parquets lying on a boarding and those placed directly on joists. 3.Analysing the function of woodwork parquet joints in the floor structure. The capability of floors from antique manor houses in South-Eastern Poland to transfer own and usage loads is being assessed in order to make recommendations as to their preservation, relocation or substitution.

Abstract: The maintenance and preservation of wooden structures which are a significant part of historical building heritage requires suitable knowledge of both the material on which intervention is intended and the construction techniques used to build it. Understanding its structural design, characteristics, and construction specificities is crucial in order to correctly safeguard this aesthetical/cultural heritage of knowledge and values which in some cases has, unfortunately, been irremediably lost.The present contribution will analyse several examples of wooden structures built using the system invented by Philibert de lOrme in 1561. The case studies, all cited in the Nouvelles Inventions pour bien bâtir à petits frais, illustrate the different ways in which the construction system proposed by de lOrme can be used.

Abstract: Survey of existing timber structures often includes the need to allocate mechanical properties to structural timber members. This task has to take into account the huge variability of timbers properties (within and between species), characteristic that differentiates this material from other structural materials (e.g. concrete and steel). For many decades, and still now, the application of visual strength standards is the main or only procedure used for this task. Despite the large number of other non and semi-destructive technique developed their regular application to in situ assessment of timbers mechanical properties is still almost non-existent. The present paper discusses possible ways to use and combine information from visual grading standards and non and semi-destructive techniques to predict the reference properties of timber members in service. The discussion has in mind studies conducted over the last years and the information provided by different guidelines, standards or papers recently published.

Abstract: One major difficulty one has to face in the assessment of old timber structures concerns the assessment of the effective strength of timber cross sections with biological damage.Its effects may generally be considered, either by assuming a reduced cross section or by assuming reduced mechanical properties for the apparent cross section.Where beetles attack produce a “diffuse” damage, i.e. their tunnels spread in most of the cross section surrounded by a significant amount of undamaged wood, the assumption of a reduced cross section may not be the best approach.To assess the effect of diffuse damage by beetles to pine timber, damaged timber was collected from an old structure and tested in bending and compression in small “clear” wood specimens (cross sections of 2cm x 2cm). The varied degrees of biological damage were assessed in terms of the “holes” area measured in the cross section surface with the help of image processing analysis. Bending and compression strength were correlated with biological damage. Test results suggest that, although very high levels of insect destruction have an impact on the timber strength, timber density still is the governing factor.