We present a case of recovery of a wooden floor in the historic center of Verona with the wood-wood technique and Al-fer SELF-LIVELLING connectors. The reinforcement of the attic was necessary in order to place machinery for the production of ice cream for the commercial activity on the ground floor. The existing beams and the double 3 + 3 cm planking were unable to exhibit deformations compatible with the new loads. In compliance with the minimum internal heights, imposed by the municipal regulation, we intervened with new solid wood boards 24 cm wide, only 5 cm high and equal to the existing beams below.

The site operations were carried out by keeping the commercial activity on the lower floor active without the need to shore up. Among the new beams, it was decided to use an insulating material to improve soundproofing and reduce heat loss towards unheated rooms. The finished floor was obtained by laying 3 cm thick OSB-type wood panels. The solution thus satisfied many aspects including keeping the commercial activity operational, increasing the static and thermoacoustic characteristics of the floor with a light dry solution, therefore an improvement from the seismic point of view

Unlike the previous case, strong thicknesses are necessary where the existing beams are of modest size compared to the span. The project involved the renovation of a house on the fourth floor in via Mosè Bianchi in Milan. Downstairs it was not possible to intervene because the operation of the doctors’ offices had to be guaranteed. The floor was made up – starting from the intrados – by a false ceiling in reeds, wooden beams 7x 22 cm in length 580 cm, a damaged planking 3 cm thick, a layer of sand and cement of about 10 cm and finally concrete tiles. as a finish. New lamellar beams of width 18, height 12 and length 565 cm were used. It is noted that in the face of a length of the existing beams of 580 cm, new beams 15 cm shorter were used, this to leave 7.5 cm on both sides of the walls for the passage of the new electrical and plumbing systems between the beams themselves. . In existing wooden floors to be reinforced with the wood-wood technique, it is very important to first carry out an accurate elevation survey to know the differences in height with respect to the plant. This will make it possible to understand how much it will be necessary to compensate between the new beams and the existing planking in order to obtain a level surface. In this specific case it was necessary to compensate in the center of the floor because the beams were deformed by permanent loads but also at one end probably due to a past failure of the building. Among the new beams, rock wool was prepared to improve the soundproofing power of the deck and above the 2 cm thick OSB plank. From here an anti-treading mat and a floating floor have been prepared as a surface finish. The dividers were made in plasterboard to contain the project loads as much as possible. The intervention was carried out while keeping the activities on the floor below operational, it made it possible to improve the static characteristics of the floor, contain the loads that have decreased compared to the pre-existing condition, insert the new systems in the reinforcement thickness, all working dry .

Recovery of a wooden roof with the wood-wood technique and Al-fer SELF-LIVELLING connectors.

Square solid wood beams with a side of 12 cm placed at a distance of 80 cm were reinforced. The intervention involved the laying of new solid wood beams measuring 16×10 cm along the axis of the joists, making them collaborate by means of self-shearing connectors type LL8.

In the space between one member and the next, rock wool was laid to increase the thermal performance of the roof. Above there are insulating panels for ventilated roof in EPS with OSB panel, slated sheath and finally the roof covering.

Below are the construction site images and construction details: