DISTRESS IN LISTED BUILDINGS

The Practice has one of approximately twenty Structural Engineers who has gained membership to the Institute of Historic Building Conservation

There were cracks around two windows and some windows were distorting and stone window mullions were fracturing in this Jacobian and Victorian Property. Major repairs to the same windows had however been undertaken only eight years previously. We deduced that the problem was due to corroding iron within the walls and subsequently discovered that very localised iron ties around the windows had “exploded” at an average rate of 2mm per year.

This barn uses masonry arches instead of timber roof trusses in the hay loft. Analysis of the arches revealed that demolition and reconstruction would not solve the stability problem, but that unobtrusive steel ties would allow cost efficient preservation. The structural interest in this unique building persuaded the National Park to give an exceptional grant towards the works.Horizontally spreading of roofs is one of the most common defects encountered in historic buildings