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Highlights • Historical timber-framed wall system was investigated under cyclic loads. • Damage progression and post-elastic behaviour was analysed by image-based tracking method. • Plastic deformations and local damage occurred in some joints. • Observations are important for the design of strengthening or repair interventions. Abstract The scope of this paper is to analyse local phenomena associated with the damage progression and post-elastic behaviour of a historical timber-framed wall system under cyclic loads. It was assessed on series of points identified on the wall by processing time-resolved sequences of images. Dedicated methodology of image-based tracking method was developed to analyse local phenomena, such as relative displacements, rotations and deformations in the wall. It was possible to deduce that plastic deformations and local damage occurred in some joints. This type of observation is important for the design of rigorous strengthening or repair interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of wood-based connectors as a possible substitute of metal fasteners, for specific applications, in modestly loaded and moderately dense timber components, in new timber assemblies as well as for restoration works, is discussed. The densification technique has been used to obtain a wood-based material with higher mechanical performance with respect to the natural wood. A dedicated research has been carried out to monitor the compression behaviour of the wooden nails. The progress of pushing force during insertion of the wooden nails into wood samples was analysed and served for insertion process control. 600 compression tests were carried out to evaluate the mechanical behaviour of densified wooden nails, obtained from four different hardwood species and with different densification ratios. Beech, densified at 0° ring angle, 60% densification ratio, was selected for the further experimental campaign on the joints. Ten push-out tests have been performed on timber-to-timber joints. Results in terms of rigidity, resistance and post-elastic behaviour are discussed. The observed variability (slip modulus CoV = 26.7%, maximum load CoV = 23.7%) is mainly dependent on the occurrence of geometric flaws during nail insertion. Ductility exhibited by a group of joints was given by nail embedding into the wood before failure as well as by the bending resistance of the nail. The choice of an optimized technology for wood densification and for nail insertion is considered as a key factor for the optimal employment of the novel connectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On site characterization of wood members is a very challenging task, after consideration of all the variables affecting the material used for the construction and the complexity of the structure itself. Current procedures are limited to few characterizations; in general based on visual inspection supported by the localized drilling resistance analysis and moisture content estimation. The goal of this work was to highlight the potential of the infrared spectroscopy as a tool capable of providing complementary information for the expert inspector assessing the timber structures. The paper presents several examples of successful application of mid and near infrared spectroscopy as used for prediction of physical and mechanical properties of wood. Requirements for implementation of mid and/or near infrared spectroscopy in routine assessment protocols are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manuscript presents the application of NDT imaging techniques as complementary tools to be used during visual inspection. NDT imaging can be used to map inhomogeneity and to identify the areas at the highest risk for damage in timber structures. The paper highlights the potential of imaging techniques accepted and practiced for the assessment of timber structures. Multi-sensor approaches are presented and recommended for multi-scale, multi-resolution correlated information, which allow the non-destructive, reliable and fast assessment of damage and risk level in the existing timber structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proper timber structure assessment is of great importance to assure safe service of buildings as well as to preserve cultural heritage objects for future generations. However, due to peculiar anatomic structure of wood, anisotropy and heterogeneity, its characterization is a problematic task. Several methods are used nowadays for improving existing structure assessment routines, including also continuous monitoring of the structure performance. Current trend for using multiple sensors simultaneously is more favorable than a single sensor approach due to superior representation of the real-world cases. Moreover, the availability of novel statistical tools to handle many variables concurrently is another motivation for rapid changes within the field of measurement technology. It is important, therefore, to assure proper pre-processing of the signals from sensors, appropriate data fusion and optimal data analysis. The integrated use of non-destructive testing methodologies and data handling techniques to assess, monitor and predict properties of wood within structures and buildings is briefly described in this work. Examples for successful applications of the different data analysis techniques on the assessment and monitoring of civil engineering constitutions are reported. Multi-sensor approach may be a very attractive alternative to the conventional assessment and can provide supplementary data to be considered when inspector decision is made. It is assumed that, after additional developments, such methodologies can serve as assisting tools for non-destructive assessment of the wooden structures, service life prediction of structural elements and to support selection of optimal conservation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood is one of the oldest building materials and, thanks to its favorable mechanical and technological properties, one of the most versatile. Due to its biological nature, wooden artefacts can undergo some alteration during their service life that can be caused by mechanical, environmental or biological agents. Waterlogged and buried wood elements, present in wetlands and aquatic environments, are subject to modifications at the chemical and anatomical level, which also affect physical and related mechanical properties of the material. The possibility to predict long-term performance and the rate of modification of mechanical/physical properties of the wood material in specific environmental conditions is crucial for proper design and optimal maintenance of submerged load-bearing timber structures. Therefore, prediction models to estimate selected material properties were developed within this study. For this purpose Fourier Transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy and multivariate analysis based on partial least-squares (PLS) were used. The models proved to be effective to predict selected dynamic and physical parameters of waterlogged samples. However, in order to include the effect of water saturation in the material on site further research is indispensable. The possible detrimental effect on wood mechanical properties of waterlogging in differing environmental conditions is also discussed in this paper. Dynamic tests were performed on samples of two species, Quercus robur L. and Pinus sylvestris L., after 8 years of deposition in two differing sites. Additionally, the results obtained from fresh and archaeological samples were compared. No significant effects have been observed due to the depositional environment after short-term waterlogging. A more remarkable difference in the rate of the modification of dynamic and physical (density) properties can be attributed to differing natural features of the tested wooden species. It may be concluded that, in order to ensure a longer service-life of waterlogged timber structures, original wooden material should be properly selected, with regard to species, growth conditions, and log characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Feasibility of a portable NIR sensor for determination of wood quality aspects was demonstrated. • The best performance was obtained for prediction of moisture, density and mechanical properties. • NIR was capable of classifying defects, trace raw resources and predicting delamination. • Suggestions for industrial integration in glue-laminated timber production were provided. The feasibility of a portable NIR sensor for off-line determination of diverse wood quality aspects relevant in the production of glue-laminated timber was demonstrated. The best performance was noticed for assessing wood moisture content, with a lower capacity to estimate wood density and mechanical properties. NIR spectroscopy was modestly capable of predicting surface roughness. However, the traceability of the raw resources and the automatic classification of diverse wood defects were successfully demonstrated. The developed chemometric model could predict the total delamination and detailed delamination length. Finally, recommendations regarding further system development were provided with the aim of implementation and integration of the NIR measurement into glue-laminated timber production plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]