Introduction:

Over the years, Panthom Engineering has been fortunate to work on some of Melbourne and Sydney's most significant historical and heritage timber structures, including iconic marine assets. Our refined approach to timber investigation is exceptional, with the Panthom engineering team excelling at determining whether a heritage timber structure can achieve a further desired service life, while maintaining its durability. The Panthom method includes a phased forensic approach.

​

Phase A: The Visual Inspection

Our process begins with a detailed visual inspection by Panthom's engineers. We document obvious defects—including termite damage, rot, fire charring, splits, warping, and high concentrations of knots. We also assess environmental factors, such as corroded fasteners, which can induce secondary stress in timber through volumetric expansion.

​

Phase B: Non-Destructive Testing with the Pilodyn

Panthom Engineering employs the Pilodyn, a tool originally used in forestry, as a strategic instrument for existing structures. The results provide Panthom engineers with a critical data point for estimating in-situ timber properties like density and elastic modulus, forming a quantitative baseline for our analysis.

​

Phase C: Timber Identification Leveraging Technology

A key hint is to examine cut sections where the grain is visible. At Panthom, we enhance this traditional skill by inputting detailed photographs into advanced LLMs to assist in identifying timber species. This yields vital information on probable seasoning methods, natural durability, strength groups, and expected service life—all crucial for Panthom's assessment.

​

Phase D: Correlation with Panthom's In-House Database

This is where Panthom Engineering's proprietary advantage comes into play. We correlate on-site Pilodyn results with our extensive in-house database of laboratory-tested timber samples with known strength parameters. This unique dataset allows Panthom to calibrate field measurements against verified benchmarks.

​

Phase E: Structural Analysis for Performance Solutions

Finally, Panthom's experienced engineers correlate all gathered variables to determine appropriate strength reduction factors. We perform a structural analysis to modern standards, identifying precisely which members require rectification or replacement to meet the extended service life goal. This data-driven method often enables Panthom to develop robust performance-based solutions for heritage structures.​