The Wooden Roof of Banesa e Skendulate in Gjirokastra, Albania: The Role of the Diagnostic Test Campaign in the Structural Safety Evaluation

A diagnostic test campaign on the wooden roof of Banesa e Skendulate, a historic Ottoman-style building in Gjirokastra (Albania), revealed that applying modern strength class standards to ancient timber elements risks overestimating structural vulnerability. The study found that empirical design methods used by local craftsmen effectively supported heavy stone roofing, challenging conventional safety assessments. Researchers conducted non-destructive testing and geometric surveys to analyze the roof's structural system, behavior, and degradation, then developed an analytical 3D model. This approach highlights the need for tailored reference values based on real conditions of historic wood to guide reinforcement projects accurately.

Podestà, S., Pompejano, F., & Stagno, G. (2013). The Wooden Roof of Banesa e Skendulate in Gjirokastra, Albania: The Role of the Diagnostic Test Campaign in the Structural Safety Evaluation. Advanced Materials Research, 778, 911–918. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.778.911