Researchers are now studying the charred remains of the Notre-Dame Cathedral’s 12th- to 19th-century oak-framed roof, providing engineers with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to better understand the aging properties of wood. The research, presented by Nicolas Sauvat from the Clermont Auvergne University in France, was one of more than 950 oral and visual poster presentations given at the World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE) in Brisbane last week.
“Knowledge of the properties of old wood is necessary for the decision-making of engineers faced with the replacement of structural elements resulting from the deconstruction of old buildings or the maintenance of a historic monument,” according to Sauvat’s presentation, which saw the researchers conduct three-point bend tests on samples of ‘intact’ wood from the roof, base and sphere wdating to the 12th, 13th and 19th century.
One of the dozen or so French delegates at the conference, Sauvet and his compatriots were part of the 1,000-strong delegation that attended this year’s WCTE – with Australia (with 250 delegates), Japan (127), Canada (68), the United States (60), New Zealand (52) and Germany among the countries with the most representatives at the conference.
‘Tonight the Bells Ring’ as Notre-Dame is Restored, Oak by Oak!
Last year, Wood Central revealed that that more than 500 carpenters, stonemasons, scaffolders, sculptures, gliders, and glassmakers were involved in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame roof and frame (appropriately known as “the forest”) – with timbers came from more than 175 French forests and 35 sawmills, each carrying PEFC certification.
In total, more than 1500 French Oak trees were used to fully restore (and recreate) the roof, spire, internal nave, and choir, with the project paying tribute to the craftsmanship of the cathedral’s original builders and ensuring that the centuries-old art of hand-fashioning wood lives on.
- For more information about the Notre-Dame restoration, visit Wood Central’s special features on the construction of the cathedral’s choir, the construction of the wooden spire, the installation of the trusses over the cathedral roof, guidelines for carpenters working in the cathedral, and the Golden Rooster, which now stands atop the cathedral spire.
