Innovative metallic materials for strengthening of historic timber structures

This paper addresses recent reinforcement techniques that use corrosion-resistant metals for the repair and strengthening of historic timber structures affected by decay or structural deficiencies. The most common issues concern limited load-bearing capacity and compatibility between materials and intervention methods. As heritage authorities increasingly require reversible and minimally invasive solutions, there has been growing interest in the use of innovative metallic materials. In particular, stainless steels and titanium alloys are now more frequently employed to reinforce timber elements. The article therefore provides an updated overview of the state of the art regarding these materials and the related reinforcement and repair techniques.