Appraisal and Repair of Timber

Timber is one of the oldest of man's building materials, but because the building scene today is dominated by concrete and steel, many designers are unfamiliar with the properties of timber and its structural vocabulary. This new book begins with an extended introduction to timber as a building material, its various forms and properties, its response to environmental conditions, and the Building Regulations relating to its use. It goes on to follow the general sequence of work, starting with the commission, and then dealing with the survey, the investigation and the appraisal. The appraisal, where the most appropriate form of remedial work is selected, is the pivotal point – chapters follow on repair options, report and specification writing, and the additional factors which have to be taken into account when dealing with historic buildings. The book also includes case studies, which discuss timber in relation to other structural materials, as buildings made entirely of timber are very rare. This book will be essential reading for all engineers who deal with timber in structures, and will also be of interest to architects and surveyors who are faced with engineering issues in this area.