Application Progress and Prospect of Defect Detection Technology for Timber Structure Members

Timber buildings show the exquisite skills of craftsmen in China. Under the influence of nature and human activities, damage and destruction of ancient timber structures lead to the loss of China’s cultural heritage. Therefore, it is particularly important to study the existing defect detection methods of timber members and provide excellent restoration plan for the preservation of timber structures. Defects of timber structure members were found to consist mainly of cracking, decay, insect-attack, bending and pullout of tenons, etc. These defects are the main factors that affect the mechanical properties of timber members and endanger the stability of timber structures. Pilodyn, resistograph, stress wave, radar, ultrasound, X-ray, infrared spectroscopy and piezoelectric transducers are all were studies for detection methods mentioned, which belong to semi-destructive testing and non-destructive testing. In detail, the principle, development status and application cases of wood building detection technology are elaborated to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies in various scenarios. New and feasible detection technology should be developed, and the development direction of damage detection technology for timber structures in the future is put forward.