The Repair of Historic Timber Structures

England has a surprising number of timber-framed buildings, because they mostly date from before 1700 they are normally listed buildings, there is now an increasing demand for these buildings to be adapted to suit modern day requirements. The Repair of Historic Timber Structures is an indispensable guide for those involved in the structural assessment and repair of timber in buildings. The book takes a practical approach and discusses two types of structure, the oak-framed buildings dating from the Middle Ages (which still survive in some numbers), and the timber elements of masonry buildings from the late seventeenth century. While it discusses the quantitative analysis of structures that will be of concern to engineers, it also provides qualitative descriptions of structural behaviour for architects and carpenters concerned with these buildings and presents details of repairs. A simple analysis of typical structures to show the kinds of stresses that might be encountered is provided, and at this stage some simple calculations are introduced to give an idea of the nature and magnitude of the forces. The view taken is that simple methods are more appropriate than the use of modern analytical programmes, given the uncertain member and joint properties. Methods of repair are then discussed and a brief guide is also provided to the survey of historic buildings containing these structures. The Repair of Historic Timber Structures is an invaluable resource for structural engineers, architects and carpenters, dealing with the repair and restoration of historic timber structures.

Table of Contents:
The materials Basic timber structures The form and behaviour of historic joints Behaviour of oak frames Loads and stresses Load transmission in the new carpentry Decay and repair Surveying for repair Bibliography Appendices- Timber grades- Diagrams for visual grading and grade limits- Comparative loads on a pegged tenon- Hankinson’s formula