A method for the determination of the timber density through the statistical assessment of ND transverse measurements aimed at in situ mechanical identification of existing timber structures

•A procedure for in situ determination of density of timber members is presented.•The method is based on ND tests carried out in transverse direction.•The ND test considered are sclerometric needle penetration and resistance drilling.•The method is defined based on the statistical elaboration of measured data.•The method is specifically conceived for built cultural heritage of notable value. In the context of a wide research study for in situ mechanical identification of ancient timber structures by non-destructive techniques (NDTs), the paper illustrates a method for the determination of the density of timber elements, through the statistical combination of in situ sclerometric needle penetration and resistance drilling parameters measured in transverse direction. The method is applied to ancient chestnut samples, even though it can have a general validity. Once estimated the density, the mechanical properties both in compression and in bending can be evaluated through correlations with density.