Hidden historic structures belonging to cultural heritage: the timber roof of Porta Nuova railway station in Torino

The present paper illustrates a wide interdisciplinary project carried out in the frame of the restoration works of timber roof of Porta Nuova Railway Station in Torino (Italy). Torino, in 1861, was the first capital of the just unified Reign of Italy. In the same year, Eng. A. Mazzuchetti was in charge to design the railway station of Porta Nuova in Torino. The design and construction of the station deserved contributions from the most outstanding scientists of that time, including R. Sephenson who provided the details of the lateral roof structures of the station, and the young Eng. A. Castigliano who defended his thesis on the design of the great steel vault above the rails. In recent years, the roof structure needed important maintenance and restoration interventions due to the water leaking which caused the deterioration of the beneath timber structure. Due to the historical and cultural importance of the building that is protected by law the holders decided to start a conservative restoration of the great timber roof structures.