Building details of a tabique dwelling in Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro region

Abstract

Tabique is one of the main Portuguese traditional building techniques which use earth as a building material. In general, a tabique building component is formed by a simple timber structure covered by an earth based mortar on both sides. The mortar has an important role in this system because it protects the internal timber structure as well as it is a coating. Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, is the northeast region of Portugal and it is rich in terms of tabique heritage construction. Meanwhile, previous research works have shown that the existing tabique constructions, in this region, show a generalized advanced stage of deterioration. This aspect associated to the fact that there is still a lack of scientific studies done in this field motivated this research work, which its main objective is to identify and to understand the structural system of tabique dwellings. A two storey tabique dwelling located in Lamego Municipality, near Douro River, in the UNESCO classified heritage area, is used as reference in this study. Building details of the original applied structural system solutions are shown and described. The adopted connection solutions between structural components are some of the above building details which are introduced and described. Finally, the conservation stage of these elements is also analysed.