Evaluating the Mechanical Properties and Failure Modes of Timber Heritage Beams
摘要
Wood heritage buildings are cultural elements, and preserving these buildings contributes to cultural diversity. Natural aging leads to a decline in physical and mechanical properties owing to variations in the temperature and moisture content, negatively affecting the stability and well-being of wooden architecture. Deterioration due to aging over time emphasizes the need to evaluate ancient timber members’ physical and mechanical properties. This study examines the physical and mechanical properties of 150-year-old timber members. Flexural tests were performed on several timber beams of various cross sections and span lengths, and their flexural strength and material properties were assessed. The heritage beams generally demonstrated acceptable bending capacities, which can be improved further by employing various retrofitting techniques.