Timber-Framed Buildings and Structural Restoration of a Historic Timber Pavilion in Turkey

Abstract

Timber buildings were widely constructed until reinforced concrete became popular due to availability of the material and workmanship in Turkey. The masters of the timber works presented different construction techniques, configurations, and styles. After the trend turned to reinforced concrete and steel, the timber construction techniques became obsolete and even the existing timber buildings suffered from the lack of interest, repair, and maintenance. As a result the historical building stock started to perish. Despite some appropriate restoration attempts for the timber structures, the limited number does not offer any confidence for the future of those structures. In this respect, this study aims to present the timber structural systems for buildings, to expose the current conditions of existing timber structures, and to concentrate on the structural restoration of an important historical timber structure in Turkey.