REBIRTH: Inteligent assessment and rehabilitation of timber jack arch floors typical from historical buildings
Principal researcher:
IGNACIO PAYÁ ZAFORTEZA
Team members:
- ANTONIO HOSPITALER PÉREZ
- PEDRO CALDERÓN GARCÍA
- ROBERTO MANSILLA RUIZ
- CARLOS GISBERT DOMÉNECH
- MIGUEL ÁNGEL ABIÁN PÉREZ (AIDIMME)
- THOMAS GERNAY (JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY)
- JOSEP VICEDO GARCÍA
- ESTER GARCÍA CASTILLO
Funding Agency:
Duration: 01/09/2022 – 31/08/2025
Reference: PID2021-128152NB-I00
Abstract:
Conservation of built heritage is a major task and a great challenge because it requires adapting the performance of existing buildings to current code requirements, when very often these were built before codes existed. Timber jack arch flooring systems can be found in many historical buildings. The system is formed by timber joists and brick vaults spanning the distance between two adjacent joists and has an undoubtable aesthetic and cultural value. However, the general lack of protection and the challenges to fulfil code requirements has provoked the demolition of many structures using this system.
Within this context, this research project aims to develop a methodology for the intelligent assessment and rehabilitation of historical timber jack arch floors to: 1) preserve heritage, 2) reduce environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts associated to building construction, 3) promote circular economy.
To reach this general objective, the proposal includes a series of experimental and numerical works to better understand, assess and rehabilitate buildings using old timber at ambient temperature and under fire exposure. The proposal also intends to develop a methodology for the monitoring of historic timber floors including mechanical loads and biotic attacks (termites, fungi) to assess their safety in real time.
It must be noticed that the proposal pays a special attention to timber jack arch floors but much of the knowledge gained with the project is not specific and will benefit any type of old timber structures and even new timber structures.
By doing so, this proposal contributes to cultural heritage conservation and to more sustainable construction in alignment with the fulfilment of the following United Nations 2030 Agendas goals: “11th goal Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, “12th goal Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” and “13th goal Climate action”.
