Tabique walls, a light timber structure – constructive details and material characterization

Abstract

This document aims to give additional contribution into the study of tabique walls, a light timber wall existing in the old constructions in Portugal, and for which there is still a lack of information. This work includes an inspection campaign on 11 buildings located at the historic centre of the Portuguese city of Viseu. The information obtained allowed to create databases of the constituent elements and of the constructive details of these traditional timber walls, which may give guidance to understand the overall behaviour of these elements. Moreover, the collection of samples of timber, mortar and metallic connectors allowed carrying out laboratory tests to determine their physical and mechanical properties, contributing to a better global knowledge of tabique walls.