ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: In this paper the results of experimental tests performed on defect-free ancient wooden specimens connected by means of metal fasteners are presented. The adopted typology of connection is commonly used in ancient floor slabs for long-span beams. In order to investigate on the evaluation of stiffness and bearing capacity of such a connection system, the performed experimental activity have been based on both embedding tests on wooden samples joined by steel bolts and four-point bending tests on wooden beams including the considered connecting system. All thewooden samples have been extracted from chestnut beams aged 1700-1800, withdrawn from an ancient building located in the historical centre of Naples (Italy). In the whole, the obtained results show that the use of such a connecting system is particularly uncertain for ancient wooden beams, since it could affect strongly the global behaviour of the relevant structural element.
