REPAIR OF HISTORICAL TIMBER ROOF

STRUCTURE AND FLOOR BEAMS

Conservation and strenghtening of monumental heritage

structures

Student: Ramn del Ro Pelez

N: 243876
CHOICE OF THE SIMILAR BUILDING AS A RENFERENCE OBJECT
The building chosen as a reference object is a church called San Giovanni Evangelista
in Ravenna (Italy), it is the oldest church in the city.

HISTORY

It was built in the 5th century, according to the will of Galla Placidia following a vote
made to evangelist Giovanni during the perilous crossing that Constantinople brought
to Ravenna in 424: in view of the bad weather conditions, the sovereign promised that
if he touched earth he would have built a church dedicated to John at the landing site.
Around the year One thousand, the church became home to a group of Benedictine
monks who built an important monastery next to it. In the 14th century the church and
monastery were renovated following Gothic style; of that intervention remains the
interesting portal with deep ogival strombot.
During the Second World War the church was bombed by the Anglo-Americans and
heavily damaged, then restored.

DESCRIPTION

Exterior
The church of San Giovanni Evangelista rises along Via Carducci, not far from the
railway station.
The whole building, exterior, presents a quadrangular masonry in exposed brick.
Beyond the large portal of Gothic marble, you enter a fenced area, through which you
enter the church. The portal, which dates back to the 14th century, is richly decorated
with statues and bas-reliefs: the bezel represents the 'Apparition of St. John Gala
Placidia, flanked by two groups of angels; On the sides of striation is the Annunciation;
On the tympanum, however, is the bas-relief Saint John and an emperor (probably
Valentinian III), to his left St. Barbazian with priests, to his right Galla Placidia with
soldiers and, above, the Redeemer.
The facade of the church is very simple, it lacks decoration. It has a high medieval
prothyrum, very simple, consisting of an arch that protrudes from the wall and
supported by two brick pillars. Below the portal opens a monoform in the form of an
arch.
The bell tower, of 42 meters of height, with square plant, is attributed to Century X;
two of its four bells, Marzia and La Dolorosa, were merged in 1208 by the famous
founder Roberto Il Sassone and are among the oldest in Italy that are dated and
signed. The other two date back to 1635 and the other to 1693 and were made
respectively by founders Giulio Scaramelli of Ravenna and Giacinto Landi of Imola.
To the right of the church is the sixteenth-century cloister, with a porch on three sides.
Interior
The interior of the church is basil, with three naves, ending with apse (nave),
diaconicon (left nave) and prosthesis (right nave). The deck of the corridors, covered
with exposed wooden trusses, is divided by two rows of twelve columns each; The
columns presented, besides the capital, also a high pulp, of derivation Byzantine and
typical of the primitive Christian churches Ravenna.
Along the two twin aisles were fragments suspended from floor mosaics with various
subjects (geometries on the right ship, animals on the left). Found in 1736, they are the
remains of a flat dated 1213, when the monastery was run by Abbot William. The
iconography reflects several themes: from epics to legends, from naval battles to
crusades.
In the center of the left nave, a chapel, Gothic, of the XIV century, of square plant and
covered with a vault of crucera. Presents, on the ceiling, fragments of frescoes
representing saints, doctors of the Church and evangelists. On the altar of the chapel, a
fresco depicting Maddalena extending her arms to the Cross, somewhat deteriorated.
In the lower part of the nave is the 'apse, externally endecagonale and, internally,
semicircular, with a lattice roof and seven monofore interspersed with marble
columns. In the center, the Altar hosts cash, consisting of various elements of the era,
including some of the fifth century. On the lower wall, however, the chair, built in 1267
by the archbishop of Ravenna Filippo Fontana. On the sides of the apse are the
diaconate, on the left, and the prothesis on the right, both square and covered with
exposed beams. The prosthesis is the home of an altar in memory of the V - VI century
and a 15th century fresco of the Virgin and Child.
In the fourteenth century, the abbot of the monastery that was in charge of the
church, William, caused the mosaic to collapse with episodes of the Fourth Crusade. By
the middle of the eighteenth century, they were following in the footsteps. They were
extracted and recomposed in quadrangular panels. After 1763, the panels were placed
along the walls of the Basilica, along which they can still be seen.
Roof
Let us focus on the aim of this Project, the roof. The main corridors roof of the church
is made of exposed timber trusses known as Queen Post Trusses. This kind of wooden
truss consists on:

Tie beam
Rafters
Two vertical queen posts that are joined at equal distances from the center of
the tie beam to the rafters
Horizontal member (straining beam) which connects both queen posts at the
heads.
It can be used for spans up to 10 m
As we can check on this plan of the church, the lenght of the tie beam is approximately
L2= 860 cm and the horizontal distance between the queen posts is one third of the
total beam length, so that is L1= 287 cm.
Judging from the church pictures, we can asume that the beam spacing is half of the
distance between columns. The distance between columns can me measured from the
plan, it is 330 cm. Therefore, the beam spacing must be approximately 165 cm.

METHODS USED TO DETERMINE MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS

Non-destructive methods
Non-destructive techniques are appropriate for building-historical inspection because
the historically valuable material is not damaged by investigation.
Timber structures are parts of the whole building and their form was changing within
the time and life of the building according to external conditions. Monitoring and
assessment of structure condition are an integral part of building-historical inspection.
The procedure and precision of the results depends also on the person doing the tests
because some of the methods are device-dependent and evaluation needs awider
overview of the topic. Non-destructive methods are popular for initial diagnosis
because historically valuable material is not damaged by the measurement and they
provide sufficiently precise information about the material quality at the moment. The
results can also reveal hidden defects, cracks and areas of biotic damage. Devices used
for non-destructive investigation have generally a few advantages; they are light in
weight, easy to transport and handle.
Tools based on sonic and stress waves are very popular for the investigation of
historical structures. A few tools for in-situ investigation are presented below:
1. Ultrasonic measurements (sylvatest device)
This device operates with ultrasonic waves and can determine dynamic modulus of
elasticity as one of the mechanical characteristics. The device evaluates the quality of
the wood by measuring the velocity of the wave passaging through a structural
member. The device is composed of a control box, two conical transducers (a
transmitting one and a receiving one) especially designed for timber and a probe for
humidity measurement. The source of the ultrasonic wave is an oscillating
piezoelectric core in a transmitting transducer. The contact between the transducers
and the wood does not imply any transfer viscous medium, but the conical shape
allows installing them directly into the mass of the wood. The wave propagates along
the element directly from the transmitting to the receiving probe. A surface wave is
produced in case of indirect measurements when the transducers are placed on the
same element surface. The device records the time t required for the transmission,
and knowing the density and the moisture content of timber w it directly determines
the mechanical properties of the wood.
The most important mechanical property, which represents the quality of the material,
is modulus of elasticity, the elastic modulus along the longitudinal axis. Static modulus
of elasticity is determined from bending tests and is 10 - 15 % lower than dynamic
modulus of elasticity obtained from non-destructive testing. Dynamic modulus of
elasticity Ed is calculated as shown below, where c is the velocity of the wave, t is the
time required for the transmission and L is de distance between transducers.

= 2

2. Acoustic measurement
Another portable device which uses an acoustic wave to assess the material quality.
The stress wave is excited by a hammer blow, which should have a weight of about 1 %
by weight of the tested element, on one side and a sensitive microphone records the
wave on the opposite side. The balance is used as one of the supports, so that the
element can be weighted.

3. Penetrometer
This is a device with a steel stick which can assess the material quality using correlation
between the depth of stick indentation tp and material strength. The strength is
evaluated on the basis of material resistance against penetration indenter. The
method is semi-destructive, the damage after the measurement is small, visible by the
naked eye, but does not impair the function and is still acceptable. The steel pin is
pushed against an element surface by defined energy (thanks to a spring with defined
stiffness). Timber strength calculation is based on the reading of the penetration
depth. The method is local, and therefore it is necessary to do more tests. The
relationships are created to evaluate the measurements, taking into account the
number and location of holes. Long experience shows high compliance, using the
strength determined by Pilodyn with values determined by standardized destructive
mechanical tests.
4. Fribroscope
This device allow us to estimate the wood degradation. Fibroscopy is the endoscopic
examination using flexible optical fiber, connected to a cold light source and usually
also to a camera, video and monitor.
The application of this technology adapted to the pseudo destructive techniques of
characterization of the structural wood, allows the easy and direct exploration of
cavities in the wood that would otherwise be very difficult or impossible to see.

5. Screw withdrawal
Test technique using the screw extractor, an apparatus that records the maximum
force applied when pulling screws previously inserted in a particular section of wood.
The apparatus consists of a screw clamping device, a transducer which records the
maximum withdrawal force, and a spindle, for extracting the screw. The results are
related to other destructive and non-destructive tests, and their value is studied as a
predictor of certain properties of the wood and of the existence of biotic damages that
are not visible on the surface of the pieces. By means of this technique, it has been
verified that there is a statistically significant relation (with a degree of confidence of
95%) between the average density of the beams and the average withdrawal force
obtained in each one of them.
Destructive methods
Destructive techniques of wood are usually used in laboratory to determine the
mechanical characteristics of a species, source, etc or to determine the state of the
wood against the attack of xylophagous agents, and consists of breaking the wood to
obtain data that show the current resistant capacity of the wood. As one can suppose
it is improper to use this type of analysis for the wood of standing buildings, since what
is sought is to know the state of the wood without altering its properties. The use of
quasi-non-destructive and non-destructive wood tests is therefore the most
appropriate way of analysis. These techniques provide less accurate data than the
techniques destructive, but with adequate protocols and corrections can be
sufficiently reliable to know the state of the wood.
1. Compression test parallel to the grain
Testing equipment:
Hydraulic press
Loading cell
Displacements transducers (LVDT) with accurancy of 110-3
Acquisition system and PC for data recording

Test methods (two steps):

Elastic cycles, for the determination of the elasticity modulus (Ec,0)
Failure cycles, for the evaluation of the compression strength (fc,0), post-elastic
behaviour and collapse modes of the tested specimens

Testing set-up:
4 displacement transducers (1,2,3,4) are placed on the opposite faces of the specimen
to measure the relative displacements (w) in the elastic range over the central gauge
length and 2 displacement transducers (5,6) are placed on loading-base plate of the
testing machine, measuring the base displacements (w) of the samples.
Test procedure:
Several loading-reloading failure cycles
In each step, the load is increased up to the failure and applied at a constant
base plate speed in such a way that the maximum force is reached within
300120 sec
2. Bending tests
Testing equipment: Mohr and Federhaff machine

Test methods (two steps):

Elastic cycles, for the determination of the local (Em,l) and global (Em,g)
elasticity modulus
Failure cycles, for the evaluation of the bending strength (fc,0), post-elastic
behaviour and collapse modes of the tested specimens
Testing set-up:
Determination of the local elasticity modulus: 3 LVDTs (1, 2, 3) are placed on the
neutral axis to measure the deformations over the central gauge length (w; L1)
Determination of the global elasticity modulus: LVDT (4) measures the deflections (w)
at the mid-span of the beam.
LVDT (5) measures the loadingactuator displacements.
Test procedure:
Several loading-reloading failure cycles
In each step, the load is increased up to the failure, reaching the maximum
force within 300120 sec

REPAIR
Structural timbers may deteriorate as a result of decay, over-loading, or as a result of poor
design and alterations carried out in the past.
A common problem is decay brought about by moisture, often owing to a leak, poor
maintenance or condensation. This allows fungi (dry rot for example) or wood-boring insects
(such as woodworm and deathwatch beetle) to colonise the timber and by their action reduce its
strength.
When dealing with historic structures, the principles which come into play are:

Structural integrity ensure the structural members are capable of taking the loads they
may have to bear
Minimal intervention retain the maximum amount of historic timber and minimise
alteration or introduction of new elements. Consider the impact of the repair process on
the component and the structure, including access issues, the viability of moving the
timbers for repair, and the extent of damage which might be done to other building
elements in executing the repair
Reversibility try to ensure that alterations and additions can be undone without harm
to the fabric
Like for like where possible, use the same materials and techniques as previously
used.
Honesty make the solution honest but aesthetically and architecturally elegant and
either neat or invisible: there is no justifiable reason why modern repairs should not add
character and appeal in the same way as the historic ones
Documentation record the fabric before intervention and document the intervention
itself so that future conservation work is well informed.

INSECTOS

The insects or plagues of the wood are known as xylophagous insects, and among
them, the ones that cause the most damage in Italy are termites and woodworms,
although we can not forget the wood fungi either. Each of these species has different
characteristics and behavior, and therefore the treatment of the wood to be applied
will also be different.

TERMITES:
Termites are social insects that live in colonies. They come from the ground and usually
enter the structures without being detected through hidden pathways in the walls and
floors of the foundations. Termites are considered the worst of these insects. Maybe
not because of its size, but because of the number of attacks, number of individuals ...
There are different types, which are the criteria for the type of wood that they attack:
termites of the wet wood, termites of the dry wood and subterranean termites

WOOD BEETLE:
The woodworm is the common name given to the larvae of several species that
perforate wood (beams, furniture, coffered ceilings, etc.), in which they build galleries
and to which they damage, producing a characteristic dust. They feed on wood in its
larva stage and there are different types of woodworm.

The plague of woodworm in buildings and furniture is easy to recognize, but more by
its footprints than by the vision of the insect itself, since its appearance many people
do not know. The woodworm colonizes and damages the wood in a larva (worm) state,
but just before going outside it undergoes a metamorphosis to a coleoptera with the
ability to fly. The woodworm colonizes and damages the wood in a larva (worm) state,
but just before going outside it undergoes a metamorphosis to a coleoptera with the
ability to fly. Its life outside is a few days: it deposits its eggs and dies. Woodworm is
the most common plague in wooden constructions or with elements made of it:
furniture, doors, etc.

TREATMENTS TO KILL INSECTS

Freezing and gas
Substances by brush or injection
Acorns as Beit
If the attack has been very severe, it is safest to proceed with the removal and
complete replacement of the damaged element.

REPAIR OF TIMBER BEAMS

The reinforcement of the beams of old structures is carried out easily thanks to the
steel. There are many possible solutions. Figure a) The wooden beam is reinforced by
the placement of profiles in parallel U, I or H. Also, (figure b), a beam can be slid to
support the existing beam when there are no gauge problems under the beam. The
placement of connectors (lag screws), in sufficient number, aims to make welds of
wood and steel, to obtain an inertia greater than the sum of the inertias of both
beams.

Finally, figure c) shows an example of reinforcement of a wooden beam by suspension.

A metal beam perpendicular to the original beam is anchored in the walls. The wooden
beams join in this new beam, of sufficient inertia, by stirrups.
When carrying out a repair using timber it is important to select material of the same species,
preferably from a reputable source and, most importantly, with a moisture content which
matches to within one per cent that of the timber being repaired. If this condition is not met, the
different drying rates of the timber may cause problems with the repair joint.

TYPICAL PROBLEMS

Timber failure may be attributed to insect infestation, fungal attack, or shakes and splits caused
during the drying out of unseasoned timber.

The three most common repair types would usually deal with:

beam end repairs, due to timber being embedded or in contact with damp masonry
losses of cross sectional area due to fungal or insect attack
longitudinal cracks appearing due to changes in moisture content of the timber.

Repair can take the following forms:

like-for-like repairs using timber from an appropriate source

'honest' repair, where steel strapping or plates are used
resins, which although controversial in certain circumstances, can have a place.

BEAM END REPAIRS

Steel plates

It involves cutting away the damaged end and replacing with a new piece but this time
the two sections are joined using galvanised steel plates.
The basics of the process are as follows:
Inspect and assess the damaged section of timber and determine where it needs to be
cut to

Prop the timber along it's length using suitably sturdy props such as acro props

Once supported, cut off the damaged end leaving only solid un-damaged timber

Now, measure and cut a replacement piece of timber. This has to be the same size in
width and depth as the old e.g. if the old timber is 8 x 4 inches then that is what you
will need to use

Next, sit the new timber into the repair plate(s). Depending on the manufacturer will
depend on the types of plates you have. Some will be a "U" shape and some will be
two "L" shape sections. Ensure that the timber is pushed flat against the base of the
plate unit or plate sections and then screw into place using coach screws

Position the new timber with fixed repair plates into place with the non-plate end
sitting in or on top of the wall depending on how the original was and ensure that the
plate end sits over the original timber and that they are butted together firmly
 Before screwing the plate to the existing timber it might be a good idea to get another
prop and position it under the plate and push it firmly against the base of the original
timber

With both timbers joined securly in position you can now slowly release and remove
the props

Resin

Damaged timbers are identified and assessed and a decision is made as to whether
they are repairable
Joist, rafter or truss is examined in more detail to determine the extent of the damage
and the point along the length of the timber is identified where it is stable enough for
the splice to be applied
Suitable props are put in place along the timber to support it during the repair and to
take the load of the floor above and/or weight of the roof
The top side of the joist or truss will need to be accessed so loft boarding or floor
boards will need to be removed
Damaged section of timber is cut and removed leaving only healthy timber
New timber section is prepared by first accurately measuring what's needed and then
cutting a suitable length. Next drill the required number of holes into the front face
end of the timber along it's length and high tensile threaded steel bars are inserted
and bonded in
he existing timber section will now need to be prepped to take the new section. To do
this you will need to cut a slot into the existing truss, rafter or joist in a "U" shape to
the required length of the threaded steel bars in the new section of timber
The new section of timber is now put in place with the threaded steel bars sitting in
the slot. If all faces meet flat then they are bonded together
Now mix the resin as directed on the packaging by the manufacturer until it is smooth
Pour the resin into the slot in the existing timber until you have filled the space to the
very top. In most cases the resin will self level itself

Depending on the extent of damage, some trusses cannot be repaired and must be
replaced.

STRENGHTENING OF SECTIONS