Reinforcement of Traditional Carpentry Joints

This chapter focuses on the reinforcement of traditional timber carpentry joints according to different standards, recommendations, case studies, as well as analytical, numerical and experimental research works. The aim of the review is to present the state-of-the-art methodologies that can be at the disposal of carpenters, architects and engineers. In order to understand how traditional carpentry joints, work and their failure mechanisms, such as compressive crushing, shear and tensile cracks, six geometrical typologies of such joints are discussed. Finally, for the above typologies, several reinforcement strategies are presented by defining their objectives, methodologies, traditional and contemporary techniques, performance criteria and applicability areas. When assessing and reinforcing traditional carpentry joints, some challenges may come up, namely their design, based on the ratios of stiffness and load-bearing capacities. These challenges should thus be a focal point for further research in the near future.