This paper summarizes the test recommendations for selected non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques as developed by members of the RILEM Technical Committee AST 215 "In situ assessment of structural timber". The recommendations cover visual inspection, moisture content determination, species identification, digital radioscopy, and ground penetrating radar. The paper includes a matrix of common NDT to assess structural timber. The discussion of each technique is intended to provide users with sufficient information to understand the theoretical basis, typical equipment set up, and basic capabilities and limitations

This paper summarizes the test recommendations for selected semi-destructive testing techniques as developed by members of the RILEM Technical Committee AST 215 "In-situ assessment of structural timber". The recommendations cover resistance drilling, core drilling, glue line test, tension micro-specimens, screw withdrawal, and several hardness tests. The paper includes a matrix of common non-destructive testing to assess structural timber. The discussion of each technique is intended to provide users with sufficient information to understand the theoretical basis, typical equipment set up, and basic capabilities and limitations

This paper discusses recent advances in nondestructive and semi-destructive techniques that are used to evaluate the condition and mechanical properties of wood members in structures with emphasis on historic buildings. Traditional methods for assessing the condition of timber are generally nondestructive, but may require probing or removal of small samples for species identification. Nondestructive techniques are useful for rapid screening of timber for potential problem areas or implying internal conditions, but typically are not particularly reliable for identifying material properties. Semi-destructive techniques require extraction of a small specimen for subsequent testing to determine elastic and strength parameters while preserving the integrity of the structural member. Both nondestructive and semidestructive techniques are powerful aids to building conservation decisions.

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