Experimental Investigation on the Material Properties of Historical Chestnut and Elm Structural Timbers

Year 2025, Volume: 25 Issue: 2, 247 - 261, 30.09.2025

Minel Ahu Kara Alaşalvar , Özlem Sağıroğlu Demirci

https://doi.org/10.17475/kastorman.1787640

Abstract

Aim of study: This study aims to experimentally investigate the changes in the physical and mechanical properties of wood elements from two tree species, used as load-bearing structures 150 years ago and exposed to similar environmental conditions, due to natural aging over time.
Area of study: A historical wooden building in rural Giresun, Türkiye, was selected.
Material and method: Species identification tests were performed on the samples, followed by density, hardness, bending, and compression tests according to relevant standards.
Main results: In this study, chestnut and elm wood samples exposed to identical physical conditions and comparable biological degradation were examined. The experimental findings revealed that the reductions in compressive and bending strengths were nearly equivalent for both species. For comparative purposes, data from sound chestnut and elm wood collected from the same region were employed as the control group.
Research highlights: It is evident that chestnut and elm species are frequently used together in registered and protected structures in the region, and that elm, in particular, occurs in small groups within Turkish forests and is regarded as a valuable wood species. Since chestnut exhibits mechanical properties similar to those of elm as a result of natural aging, it is proposed that chestnut may be used as a substitute for elm in regional restoration practices when necessary.

Keywords

Historical Wood , Chestnut Wood , Elm Wood , Mechanical Properties

Tarihi Kestane ve Karaağaç Yapısal Ahşap Elemanlarının Malzeme Özelliklerinin Deneysel Olarak İncelenmesi

Abstract

Çalışmanın amacı: Bu çalışma, 150 yıl önce taşıyıcı yapı elemanı olarak kullanılan ve benzer çevresel koşullara maruz kalan iki ağaç türüne ait odun elemanlarının, zamanla doğal yaşlanma süreçlerinin etkisiyle fiziksel ve mekanik özelliklerinde meydana gelen değişiklikleri deneysel olarak incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır.
Çalışma alanı: Giresun'un kırsal bölgesindeki tarihi bir ahşap yapı seçilmiştir.
Materyal ve yöntem: Örnekler üzerinde tür tespiti yapılmış, ardından ilgili standartlara göre yoğunluk, sertlik, eğilme ve basınç testleri uygulanmıştır.
Temel sonuçlar: Çalışmada, aynı fiziksel koşullar altında olan ve benzer biyolojik hasara maruz kalan kestane ve karağaç odunu örnekleri karşılaştırılmıştır. Deneysel sonuçlar, her iki türün basınç ve eğilme dayanımlarındaki azalmanın neredeyse aynı olduğunu göstermiştir. Aynı bölgeden alınan sağlam kestane ve karaağaç odunu verileri, karşılaştırma için kontrol grubu olarak kullanılmıştır.
Araştırma vurguları: Bölgedeki tescilli ve korunan yapılarda kestane ve karaağaç türlerinin sıklıkla birlikte kullanıldığını ve özellikle karaağaç türünün Türkiyedeki ormanlarda küçük gruplar halinde yayıldığını ve değerli bir odun türü olduğunu göstermektedir. Kestane türünün doğal yaşlanma etkisi sonucunda karaağaç türü ile benzer mekanik özellikler sunmasından dolayı bölgedeki restorasyonlarda karaağaç yerine gerektiği durumlarda kullanılabileceği önerilmektedir.

Keywords

Tarihi Ahşap , Kestane , Karaağaç , Mekanik Özellikler

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