Restrictions and New Possibilities of Technical and Conservation Diagnostics of Wood in Heritage Buildings

Abstract

Identifying the mechanical properties of wood in existing buildings allows the search for an effective way to renovate wooden structures. Tests conducted on the historic structure's tissue preclude the use of destructive testing. Individual elements of the structure can be subjected to non-destructive testing (NDT) conducted in situ. The NDT testing methodology presented in the article is based on the use of ultrasonic and sclerometric technology. These methods can be used to determine the sites of biological corrosion and determine the effect of internal defects on the quality of wood. Ultrasonic testing usually uses devices that emit a longitudinal wave. The study additionally applied the author's method using devices analyzing the velocity of transverse wave flow for testing historic wood. The research was conducted on the roof truss of the heritage church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Jastrzębie Zdrój.