Ancient monument protection requirements applicable to timber-beamed ceilings

Well-maintained existing buildings constitute the face of our cities and communities. However, when it comes to the interior of ancient monuments, the inner workings are now expected to be much more modern than in the year of their construction.

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Timber-Concrete Composite Fibula

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TCC Norms

In addition to EC 5 »Design and construction of timber structures«, the HBV shall be standardised. In preparation for this, several research institutions in Europe are currently working on a technical specification.

Properties of TCC

  • Large load spans
  • low dead weight
  • good fire resistance
  • good sound insulation
  • low susceptibility to vibration
  • prefabrication possible

Hence many authorities who have to look after ancient monuments recognise Timber-Concrete Composite as a solution for sub-standard supporting structures.

Frequently it becomes necessary to find a compromise between the need for protection of the fabric of ancient monuments and the intended new use. Here the rehabilitation of the timber-beamed ceiling with the Elascon Timber-Concrete Composite structure will often prove to be the golden mean. The timber-beamed ceilings are strengthened to improve sound insulation, fire protection an stability, and any existing timber beams worthy of protection can be rehabilitated and saved. And when TCC is used, even the under face of old timber-beamed ceilings remains untouched.

Timber and concrete are not merely compatible; some of the time they even love one another.

In fact, ancient Venetian ceiling structures were placed directly on timber beam ceiling supported on alkaline slag - almost a precursor of modern concrete. Contrary to the frequent assertion that timber and concrete hate each other like fire and water, these centuries-old building structures illustrate that the alkaline nature of the concrete improves the durability of the timber.