The application of the plastic limit analysis to extend the load-bearing capacity of historical timber roofs

• application of the plastic limit analysis • analysis of historical timber roofs • nonlinear analysis of timber structures . Many historical timber roofs were built based on the experiences of the carpenters. As time went by, the effects and the requirements of the structures have changed. Today, the focus is on the changing of the environmental effects. As a result, a structure that was safe for centuries might be unsafe today. Therefore, a systematic revision of timber roofs is advisable. The recent paper analyzes four typical historical timber roofs from the last centuries. The load-bearing capacity is in focus by comparing the elastic and plastic limits of the structures. Traditionally, elastic capacity is used for timber structures, but research shows that the plastic limit can be used for the connections. The paper represents a systematic study on the structure of historical timber roofs. According to the results of this study, the plastic limit analysis can extend the load-bearing capacity of several types of structures, but not for every version.