A Historical Large Span Timber Construction - Refurbishment of the Main Cupola of Vienna University of Technology

Abstract

We present the refurbishment work on a 200-year-old timber structure the principal cupola on top of the main building of the Vienna University of Technology (VUT). Retrofitting plans for this structure included a different use of the space underneath the cupola and leaving the ancient timber construction visible. This called for an examination of the quality of the ancient wood material, the development of modern safety concepts for fire and earthquake incidents within the modified use scenario, additional constructional measures to fulfil the requirements of these new concepts and doing an up-to-date structural analysis following the regulations given by the Eurocodes.