Structural Vulnerability Assessment of Heritage Timber Buildings: A Methodological Proposal

Amirhosein Shabani,Haris Stamatopoulos,Vagelis Plevris,Mahdi Kioumarsi

doi:10.3390/f11080881

Abstract

The conservation of heritage structures is pivotal not only due to their cultural or historical importance for nations, but also for understanding their construction techniques as a lesson that can be applied to contemporary structures. Timber is considered to be the oldest organic construction material and is more vulnerable to environmental threats than nonorganic materials such as masonry bricks. In order to assess the structural vulnerability of heritage timber structures subjected to different types of risk, knowledge about their structural systems and configurations, the nature and properties of the materials, and the behavior of the structure when subjected to different risks, is essential for analysts. In order to facilitate the procedure, different assessment methods have been divided into the categories in situ and ex situ, which are applicable for vulnerability assessments at the element and full-scale level of a case study. An existing methodology for structural vulnerability assessments and conservation of heritage timber buildings is reviewed and a new methodology is proposed.

Highlights

Timber has been utilized in construction for thousands of years, and as an organic material is susceptible to decay in aggressive environments [1]
Since the environmental conditions affect the organic nature of timber, the structural vulnerability assessment of historical timber buildings is complex compared to other types of construction materials [2]
The current behavior of the isbuilding evaluated by performing a preliminary survey and non-destructive tests (NDTs) semi-destructive is evaluated by performing a preliminary survey and non-destructive testsor(NDTs) or semidestructive (SDTs)

Summary

Introduction

Timber has been utilized in construction for thousands of years, and as an organic material is susceptible to decay in aggressive environments [1]. Since the environmental conditions affect the organic nature of timber, the structural vulnerability assessment of historical timber buildings is complex compared to other types of construction materials [2]. The conservation of heritage structures is important from a cultural or historical point of view, and because of their distinct features, such as architecture, ornaments and the valuable objects they contain [3]. Heritage construction techniques are essential to investigate as a pattern for contemporary construction, and to find the best conservation techniques. Environmentally friendly and sustainable buildings are gaining momentum

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Conclusion