Studentship at University of Glasgow

Structural and Mechanical Integrity of Historic Timber

    Dr Michael C. Jarvis
    Supervisor

    Dr Craig Kennedy
    Historic Scotland
    Co-Supervisor

A Historic Scotland/University of Glasgow Studentship Award

Start date 1 October 2011

Timber has been a major building material in Scotland for millennia.
Historically it has been used in a number of ways including
structural building support, cladding, ceilings, floorboards, window
frames, doors and many others. In preserving historic and
traditional buildings, a balance needs to be struck between
retaining as much of the original building fabric as possible, and
maintaining a sound building that is safe to use.

Timber is subject to decay over long time scales through chemical
degradation and biological attack. Degraded timbers often need to be
replaced with modern equivalents. Some timbers survive remarkably
well over time, but the mechanical and chemical properties of these
timbers is not well understood. This can lead to some cases where
historic and modern timbers co-exist in a building, often in
physical contact with each other.

The properties of replacement timbers that co-exist with the
historic material is a key factor in this studentship. The principal
outcome of this project will be a detailed, science-based platform
for guiding the selection of new timber to repair historic
buildings.

Skills and Qualifications Required: Applications are invited from
candidates with first-degree qualifications in a suitable field such
as chemistry, materials science, timber science or heritage science.
For UK candidates a first class or upper second class honours degree
is required. For candidates from outside the UK the minimum
qualification is at a similar level. An interest in built heritage
or archaeology is essential.

Research Activities: This studentship will aim to address a number
of key questions including:

    What are the physical, structural and chemical properties of
    historic timber?

    How do these compare with modern replacement/repair timbers?

    What effects do new timbers have on historic timbers when joined
    together in a building?

A number of spectroscopic, microscopic and other techniques will be
utilised to understand these materials.

Support and Environment: This studentship will be hosted at the
Department of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow, as a part of
Dr. Jarvis' research group. This group consists of a number of
students analysing various aspects of timber and related products,
and has a long track record of successful research and publication
in the field of timber and cellulose science. Historic Scotland will
provide a support network of people interested in the end-use of
this research, including architects, policy managers, scientists and
conservators. The project will have undoubted value in respect to
policy and knowledge transfer to relevant stakeholders including
Historic Scotland, National Trust for Scotland, and other owners and
managers of historic and traditional buildings. The advanced
training and relevance of the topic to such a range of stakeholders
therefore offers strong prospects for further career advancement for
the successful student.

Enquiries/Application: Applications are invited from suitably
qualified.  Informal enquiries to
Dr. Jarvis <mikej<-a t->chem< . >gla< . >ac< . >uk>

Dr. Craig Kennedy
Senior Conservation Scientist
Historic Scotland
7 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh EH12 9EB
+44 131 314 0753


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:4
                   Distributed: Monday, June 27, 2011
                        Message Id: cdl-25-4-015
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