TY - CHAP
T1 - Life cycle assessment of timber components in Taiwan traditional temples
AU - Yeo, S Y
AU - Hsu, M F
AU - Chang, Wen Shao
AU - Chen, J L
PY - 2011/1
Y1 - 2011/1
N2 - For years, research on the life cycle of conventional building materials (e.g. reinforced concrete and metal structures) has been studied; however very little literature can be found in non-conventional materials such as timber. Ever since the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake that happened in Taiwan, many traditional timber framework buildings were destroyed or severely damaged. For the past decade, enormous amount of resources have been invested by the Taiwanese government to begin various studies on traditional timber building techniques, timber material testing etc. Although correct building technique or proper use of building material are crucial towards establishing a structurally-sound timber framework, without proper building maintenance, the structural integrity will also be jeopardised in future. With the continual decline of timber supply, re-using existing timber materials becomes especially important in building conservation. In this paper, eight Taiwanese traditional temples are used to study the life cycle of historic timber framework. Based on past records of each building's restoration process, statistical calculations of various timber components at different repair stages and oral interviews with the traditional master carpenters, architects and timber surveying units, results shown that alteration design during repair stage is recommended as it enables architects to give more informed repair advice. However if improper or unsuitable measures are carried out during emergency rescue work, timber deterioration will only aggravate further instead of being salvaged. Lastly, a theoretical calculation method for timber framework life span is proposed by using 50% as the critical point for overall structural failure.
AB - For years, research on the life cycle of conventional building materials (e.g. reinforced concrete and metal structures) has been studied; however very little literature can be found in non-conventional materials such as timber. Ever since the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake that happened in Taiwan, many traditional timber framework buildings were destroyed or severely damaged. For the past decade, enormous amount of resources have been invested by the Taiwanese government to begin various studies on traditional timber building techniques, timber material testing etc. Although correct building technique or proper use of building material are crucial towards establishing a structurally-sound timber framework, without proper building maintenance, the structural integrity will also be jeopardised in future. With the continual decline of timber supply, re-using existing timber materials becomes especially important in building conservation. In this paper, eight Taiwanese traditional temples are used to study the life cycle of historic timber framework. Based on past records of each building's restoration process, statistical calculations of various timber components at different repair stages and oral interviews with the traditional master carpenters, architects and timber surveying units, results shown that alteration design during repair stage is recommended as it enables architects to give more informed repair advice. However if improper or unsuitable measures are carried out during emergency rescue work, timber deterioration will only aggravate further instead of being salvaged. Lastly, a theoretical calculation method for timber framework life span is proposed by using 50% as the critical point for overall structural failure.
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2011.07.337
U2 - 10.1016/j.proeng.2011.07.337
DO - 10.1016/j.proeng.2011.07.337
M3 - Chapter or section
SN - 1877-7058
VL - 14
T3 - Procedia Engineering
SP - 2683
EP - 2691
BT - Proceedings of the 12th East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction, EASEC12
PB - Elsevier
CY - Oxford
T2 - The Twelfth East Asia-Pacific on Structural Engineering and Construction
Y2 - 26 January 2011 through 28 January 2011
ER -