The reinforcement of ancient timber-joints with carbon nano-composites

The paper describes an experimental research activity on the application of a polymeric resin reinforced with carbon nanotubes on an ancient timber structures belonging to cultural heritage (Bertolini Cestari et al. in Proc. of SAHC2008. VI International Conference, pp. 941-947, 2008; Marzi in Ph.D. Thesis, 2010; Bertolini Cestari et al. in Proc. of ICRACM- 2010—3rd International Conference on Recent Advances in Composite Materials, 2011). The proposed approach aims at the conservation of a specific wooden joint belonging to traditional constructions. Therefore the research was addressed to the definition and assessment of a methodology of preparation and application of the nano-composite with the aim of verifying an increased mechanical resistance in comparison with traditional reinforcement methods. Different wood species have been considered and the experimentation has been carried out in view of a possible in-situ application of the technique. Laboratory tests were carried out at first on small wooden samples, and afterwards on wooden elements having real dimension. These last ones were taken from ancient and decayed wooden floors belonging to an important historical building that were dismantled during restoration works. A numerical analysis of the structural behavior of the joint is provided, in order to assess the different possible collapse mechanisms. The results obtained from the tests are promising for future developments of the application of these nano-composite materials.