Resistographic inspection of ancient timber structures for the evaluation of mechanical characteristics

Among non-destructive testing methods for the analysis of ancient timber structures, the Resistographic method is gaining great diffusion. This method is based on the registration of density variations through timber sections by means of an electronic drill and nowadays it is generally employed only to detect the presence of defects and damage. The present study is about the use of Resistographic method to evaluate mechanical characteristics of timber and, with this aim, an experimental program on wood-worm damaged timber has been carried on. Results show the usefulness of this non-destructive testing method as it allows the investigation through the interior part of timber and thus can give a quite reliable idea of local strength of wood in the examined section. That gives an useful parameter for the detection of recoverable elements in standing timber structures to be restored. In the present research, beech compressive strength has been evaluated from small clear wood specimens, while the evaluation of strength of dimensional lumber is outside the scope of the work.