ABSTRACT
This chapter explains about a new possibility of the hole-drilling technique. It is firstly applied on timber structural elements in existing buildings. Previous works published by other researchers have been crucial to get the new application. The chapter shows how it is possible to open a new line of investigation of this fruitful technique. Hole-drilling method allows measuring stresses on structural elements arising from its intrinsic function of supporting loads. Among the in situ assessment techniques of timber structures, hole-drilling could play an important role, as long as it would be possible to know the real state of the stress and compare it with its characteristic strength. Technicians and architects should know about it and apply it in future restoration works. The chapter deals with the application of the popular hole-drilling method on timber elements in-service.
