Historical Timber-Framed Buildings： Typology and Knowledge

• Published in: Tu mu gong cheng yu jian zhu 2012-02, Vol.6 (2), p.150-165
• Main Author: Maria Eunice da Costa Salavessa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 历史建筑; 建筑大师; 建筑类型学; 木构建筑; 木结构; 知识; 解释方法; 论文作者
• ISSN: 1934-7359; 1934-7367
• DOI: 10.17265/1934-7359/2012.02.003

This paperprovides a historical overview intending to clarify the methods of interpretation of timber-framed buildings by different authors of construction treatises, and structural intentions of the carpentry designers and master builders, throughout the centuries, until the period when it became scientific structural theory. It describes the ＂box-frame＂ construction that appeared in Lisbon, after the earthquake of 1755, characterized by its good seismic resistance. This knowledge is important to determine a strategy of an efficient restoration practice in historical constructions which require an intervention subordinated to its raised patrimonial and artistic value, minimum, which respects the authenticity of its structural and construction conception and which is reversible and compatible, in physical, chemical, mechanic and aesthetic terms. Empirical understanding of the most important properties of wood to structure purposes, the defects of structural timbers, the framing and the preliminary survey followed by the structural survey were some of the difficulties which can be overcame in practice.