DIAGNOSIS AND ASSESSMENT FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE HISTORIC TIMBER STRUCTURES OF SAN FERMO MAGGIORE CHURCH IN VERONA

In the context of our architectural heritage, timber structures represent an important sector in terms of historical relevance, architectural technology and construction materials. Roof struc- tures constitute an integral part of the architectural complex in which they are located and should be treated with the same attention and respect due to their historical significance. The conservation process of these structures has found a proper role in the preservation project part- ly as a result of technological innovations and regulations of the sector of wooden artefacts be- longing to cultural heritage. This paper presents multi-disciplinary research project for the diagnosis, dendrochronological analysis, assessment and conservation of the historic roof timber structures of San Fermo Maggiore Church in Verona. The church has a single nave of more than 52 m in length and 18 m in width. It was realized by the Franciscans in the 14th century. The ribbed vault wooden ceiling, a sort of upside-down ship hull, is characterized by five painted vaults and is supported by three orders of brackets. The load-bearing structure of the roof, to which the heavy ribbed vault wooden ceiling is hanged, is made up of a series of 16 large trusses of rather complex geometry. The ribbed vault is connected with iron tie rods. The trusses, dis- posed with a distance of 3 m. from each other, lay on the masonry walls through brackets (typical brackets of the Veneto Region named “Barbacani”). The study, carried out in cooperation with the Superintendence and the Diocese, was addressed to timber grading according to the re- sistance of the main wooden elements constituting the roof structure that supports the ribbed vault ceiling. The conducted activity has constituted a base for the structural investigation phases.