Although Architecture and Structural Engineering have both had their own historical development, their interaction has led to many fascinating and delightful structures over time. To bring this interaction to a higher level, there is the need to stimulate the inventive and creative design of architectural structures and to persuade architects and s

Prepared by the Subcommittee on Evaluation, Maintenance, and Upgrading of Timber Structures of the Committee on Wood of the Structural Division of ASCE. This report presents information on technical aspects of inspection, evaluation, reinforcement, repair, and rehabilitation of timber structures. Any structure, regardless of the material from which it is made, may be subject to a review of its ability to perform a specific function or functions. This report reviews factors that influence the serviceability of wood structures, including loadings, duration of loads, temperature, moisture and weathering. Effects of chemicals and fire, as well as insects, fungi, and other organisms that attack wood are also covered. Designing to avoid problems caused by these factors is discussed. Inspection techniques and equipment are described, along with guidelines on where to look and what to look for. A section of evaluation of wood structures includes criteria such as structural analysis, determination of loads, and estimating load carrying capacity.

Reliability-based design (RBD) procedures for engineered structures are being developed and quickly gaining acceptance by cade agencies throughout the world. Numerous organizations are involved in the development of national or regional cades without the benefit of interchange of ideas and methodologies. Harmonization and coordination of these activities is absolutely essential if the ever-increasing international commerce is to flourish. This NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) was organized to bring together, for the first time, experts on RBD and related subjects from various countries to assess the current knowledge and recommend new developments. Further, due to their unique nature and great economic significance in most parts of the world, special emphasis was placed on engineered wood structures. For example, in North America more wood products are used in construction than ali other materials (steel, concrete, brick, etc.) combined. However, the wood industry segment, historically, receives less attention and smaller financial support for new developments than other construction materials. RBD developments are being conducted in Similar, but largely independent, Europe, North America, New Zealand and Australia. Experts from these regions were brought together to exchange information on current work, propose new developments and to provide means of international coordination. Thus, this ARW provided an opportunity to advance the cause of RBD of engineered wood structures.

This volume presents the proceedings of the 18th International Probabilistic Workshop (IPW), which was held in Guimarães, Portugal in May 2021. Probabilistic methods are currently of crucial importance for research and developments in the field of engineering, which face challenges presented by new materials and technologies and rapidly changing societal needs and values. Contemporary needs related to, for example, performance-based design, service-life design, life-cycle analysis, product optimization, assessment of existing structures and structural robustness give rise to new developments as well as accurate and practically applicable probabilistic and statistical engineering methods to support these developments. These proceedings are a valuable resource for anyone interested in contemporary developments in the field of probabilistic engineering applications.

Selected, peer reviewed papers from the 2nd International Conference on Structural Health Assessment of Timber Structures (SHATIS 13), September 4-6, 2013, Trento, Italy