Mechanical identification by NDT of old chestnut structural timber

The paper illustrates a methodological procedure for in situ mechanical identification of ancient chestnut timber members using combined Non Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques. The experimental campaign has included the following NDTs: visual inspection for a quick grading of wood, hygrometric tests to estimate wood moisture content, ultrasonic investigations as an approach to determine stress wave properties, wood hammer tests to assess material hardness and superficial consistence, resistographic measurements to detect internal defects and density variations. Static bending tests were performed in order to assess stiffness and strength properties, post-elastic behaviour and collapse mechanism of the tested elements. Correlations of non-destructive parameters with wood density, modulus of elasticity (E(s)) and ultimate bending strength (f(m)) are provided and discussed. Linear regression model are used for statistical analysis