The assessment of nondestructive (NDT) or semi-destructive techniques (SDT) for the in situ structural characterization in existing constructions is one of the most important challenges for the scientific community. The hole-drilling method is considered as a SDT because the damage caused to the analyzed element affects neither its integrity nor its load-bearing capacity. The experimental process is to measure the relaxed strains caused by the removal of a small round of material. These relaxed strains are recorded by previously well adhered strain gages according to the corresponding ASTM standard. It is possible to deduce the stress status before the material removal using the correct mathematical scheme. This paper shows the advances of the setting of the hole-drilling method for the deduction of the stress-state on supporting wood members in existing structures (buildings and civil constructions). The relationship between the relaxed strains after removing the material and the stress that causes them has been identified in the laboratory by means of the deduction of its corresponding compliance matrix. The laboratory-tested samples of Pinus radiata D. Don had a structural size, being loaded under a known uniaxial compression imitating piers. The main goal is to complete compliance matrix for this material and for compression situations. The matrix will be useful in deducing the real stresses in regions of timber structural members made of this kind of wood.

In the Late Middle Ages, the architectural form of Seigniorial Residences evolved from the defensive Tower Houses of the 14th and 15th centuries to the early Palaces of the 16th century, due to the decrease of the medieval conflicts. The analysis carried out in a previous project, which has generated an inventory of Late-Medieval Seigniorial Residences in the Basque Country, has identified four main evolutionary phases of this architectonic typology: Tower House, Tower House transformed into Palace, Tower House with annexed Palace and Pre-Renaissance Palace. This paper aims to analyze the constructive system of the last evolutionary phase, by the study of a characteristic Pre-Renaissance Palace: The Guevara Palace in Segura (Gipuzkoa-Spain). The building has been investigated through historical-documentary analysis and historical-constructive analysis, in order to determinate its original shape and constructive system. This research has identified six different building periods in the Guevara Palace. In spite of the building was significantly transformed in the 19th century, the study has determined that a significant number of original architectural elements have been kept, such as main façade sandstone masonry walls, a major part of the timber structure, Catholic Kings Style ornamentation details or several windows and doorways, some of them bricked up and covered. The information obtained has served to carry out the 3D reconstruction of the palace, showing the characteristic features of Pre-Renaissance Palaces. This paper is part of a broader research project which aims to develop a cataloguing model for Late-Medieval Seigniorial Residences of the Basque Country.

In mid-19 th century more than 4,000 lighthouses were erected in the world, using technology specifically developed for this. In Spain, lighthouses were built as a result of four National Plans designed by the Lighthouse Commission. The lighthouse of Santa Clara Island, located in Donostia-San Sebastian (Spain), was built in 1864 during the first of these plans. As other lighthouses, this building has two parts: the tower, where the technology is placed, and an adjacent building, with the house, stores and offices for the lighthouse keeper. Nowadays the emptying of the lighthouse has started according to a project with tourist purposes. The article aims to draw attention to the current situation of this lighthouse, which will lose a large number of its historical elements. In order to achieve this objective, the current state of the lighthouse has been documented and analysed, before a large part of its architectural, structural and technological heritage elements are destroyed. An exhaustive documentary and constructive study of the building has been carried out, determining three main periods of construction: the original lighthouse, which was erected in 1864; the refurbishment of the late 19 th or early 20 th century, when a new floor was built; and the minor works carried out during the 20 th century. It has also been possible to identify the original construction system and architectural elements of the building. From a constructive-architectural viewpoint, the lighthouse of Santa Clara Island is quite similar to other Spanish lighthouses, such as the lighthouses of Suances, San Vicente de la Barquera, Luarca, Avilé s or Tazones, which can be classified within the same typological group. It is expected that the results will contribute to highlight the heritage value of the architectural, structural and technological elements of the historical lighthouses, in order to be considered in future protection strategies.

The Late Medieval Seigniorial Residence is one of the most relevant elements of the built heritage of the Basque Country (Spain). The architectural form of these buildings evolved from the defensive Tower Houses of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries to the early Renaissance Palaces of the sixteenth century, due to the decrease of the intensity of medieval conflicts. Analysis carried out in a previous project, which has generated an inventory of Late Medieval Seigniorial Residences in the Basque Country, has identified four main evolutionary phases: single Tower Houses, Tower Houses transformed into Palaces, Tower Houses with annexed Palaces and Pre-Renaissance Palaces. This paper aims to analyze the last evolution phase of this building-typology, by the study of a singular case: the Guevara Palace in Segura (Gipuzkoa, Spain). The building has been investigated from different perspectives through historical documentary analysis, historical constructive analysis and structural pathologies analysis. The research has identified six different building periods in the Guevara Palace. Although the building suffered main transformations throughout the nineteenth century, it has kept many of its original architectural features, such as the main façade sandstone masonry walls, a major part of the timber structure or Catholic Kings Style ornamentation details; a wide range of architectural elements that show the characteristic features of Pre-Renaissance Palaces. This paper is part of a broader research project which aims to develop a cataloguing model for Late Medieval Seigniorial Residences of the Basque Country.

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