CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
CHAPTER -5
Timber & Wood Based Products
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Timber
Timber denotes wood which is suitable for building or
carpentry and for various engineering and other purposes.
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TYPES OF TREES:
As per the pattern of growth, trees are divided into two categories :
(i) Exogenous trees
(ii) Endogenous trees
(i) Exogenous trees : The trees which grow outwards and sections of
which show distinct concentric rings (annular rings) are known as
exogenous trees. The timber used as construction material is obtained
mostly from exogenous trees. Deoder, Kail, Sal, Teak, Shisham, Chir
etc.
Exogenous trees are of two types :
(a) Deciduous or Broad-Leaf trees: These have hard wood. These have
broad leaves Sal, Teak, Shisham, Oak, Babul, Ash trees fall under this
category.
(b) Conifers or Evergreen trees: They give soft wood. They have pointed
leaves . . Deoder, Kail Chir, Fir, Walnut trees
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Endogenous trees : The trees which grow inwards or
endwards in a longitudinal fibrous mass are known as
endogenous trees. Cannes, bamboos, palms trees fall under
this category. The stems of these trees are too flexible and
thus they are not much suitable for engineering works.
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Comparison of soft & hard wood
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Common Market Forms of Timber
As per IS 1331-1958, the various forms and sizes of timber for stocking purposes should
be as follows:
Log : The felled tree is stripped off its branches which is thus prepared for sawing is
known as log.
Baulk : Sawn timber, whose cross-sectional dimensions exceed 5 cm in one direction and
20 cm in other direction is called a baulk. It is roughly a square section.
Bole : The main stem of a tree is called bole.
Bolt : A short log 1.25 m or less in length is called a bolt.
Batten : It is a sawn timber whose cross-sectional dimensions do not exceed 5 cm in
either direction.
Plank : A piece of sawn timber with thickness not exceeding 5 cm and the width
exceeding 5 cm is called a plank.
Boards : Sawn pieces of wood under 5 cm thickness and 10 cm or more in width are
called boards.
Deal: A sawn piece of wood 5-10 cm thick and 20-25 cm wide is called deal.
Deal Wood : The light timber used for packing cases, crates etc. is called deal wood.
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Pole : A long, solid, straight trunk of a tree 10-30 cm in diameter
at breast height and tapering gradually to top, of a diameter of
about 10 cm or more is called a pole.
Post : A timber member used in an upright position in building
fencing or other structural work is called a post. Its size is
generally between 15-50 cm side or diameter.
Slat : In pencil manufacturing, a sawn piece of wood about 185
mm x 65 mm x 6 mm in size is called a slat.
Sleeper : A piece of timber used as transverse support under rails
in railway lines, usually square, sawn is called sleeper.
Strip: A piece of timber under 5 cm thick and less than 10 cm
wide is called a strip.
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Characteristics of good timbers
Appearance: A freshly cut surface of timber should exhibit hard and of shining appearance.
Colour: A colour should preferably be dark
Defects: A good timber should be free from series defects such as knots, flaws, shakes etc
Durability: A good timber should be durable and capable of resisting the action of fungi, insects,
chemicals, physical agencies, and mechanical agencies.
Elasticity:The timber returns to its original shape when load causing its deformation is removed.
Fire resistance: A dense wood offers good resistance to fire.
Hardness: A good timber should be hard.
Mechanical wear: A good timber should not deteriorate easily due to mechanical wear or abrasion.
Shape: A good timber should be capable of retaining its hape during conversion or seasoning
Smell: A good timber should have sweet smell. Unpleasant smell indicates decayed timber
Sound: A good timber should give a clear ringing sound when struck
Strength: A good timber should be sufficiently strong for working as structural member such as beam etc.
Structure: The structure should be uniform.
Toughness: A good timber should be tough (i.e.) capable of offering resistance to shocks due to vibration.
Water permeability: A good timber should have low water permeability,
Weight:The timber with heavy weight is considered to be sound and strong.
Working conditions: Timber should be easily workable. It should not clog the teeth of saw. of wood.
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Methods of Sawing Timber
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Seasoning of Timber
As fresh timber which is obtained from trees contains about
30 to 40 % sap or moisture. This sap is very harmful for the
life of a timber. Therefore, it is necessary to remove that sap
by applying some special methods.
The process of drying timber or removing moisture or sap,
present in a freshly felled timber, under more or less
controlled conditions is called seasoning of timber.
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Advantages of seasoned timber:
The main objectives of seasoning of timber are :
It has reduced weight
It is strong and durable
It has resistance to decay or rot
It is easier to work
Its life is more
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Methods of Seasoning of Timber
The main types of timber seasoning are as under.
Natural Seasoning or Air seasoning
Artificial Seasoning
(a)Kiln Seasoning
(b) Chemical Seasoning
(c) Electric Seasoning
Water Seasoning
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Natural Seasoning:
In the air seasoning or natural
seasoning or natural drying, seasoning
of timber, timber is dried by direct
action of air, wind and sun. In this
method, the timber logs are arranged
one over the other, keeping some
space or distance between them for
air circulation of fresh air. Generally
this type of seasoning requires few
months to over a year, this is very
slow process.
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ADVANTAGES :
It is simple and economical method.
It does not require skilled supervision.
Being a slow process, the chances of seasoning defects in the timber are
comparatively less.
Depending upon the climatic conditions, moisture content in timber can
be reduced down to about 10 20%.
DISADVANTAGES :
It is a very slow process.
The moisture content of wood may not be brought down to the desired
level.
It can be easily attacked by insects and fungi due to long period of
seasoning even under favourable conditions.
The space required for stacking timber is large.
The drying of different surfaces may not be uniform.
More capital is required which is blocked till the seasoning is complete
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Artificial Seasoning:
Kiln Seasoning
Chemical Seasoning
Electric Seasoning
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Kiln Seasoning
In kiln seasoning timber is placed in a chamber with some
special heating arrangement. In this process one thing should
be kept in mind that heating system should be under control,
other wise timber will be crack or wrap . The time required
for this seasoning is 3 to 12 days. This is quick process
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ADVANTAGES :
It has perfect control of drying.
Economy of time greatly increases the over all economy of the seasoning
process.
Moisture content of the wood may be brought down to desired level.
The timber obtained from kiln seasoning is less liable to be attacked by
fungi and insects
Wood becomes more suitable for painting.
DISADVANTAGES :
It requires skilled supervision.
Though the space required is less, but it is costlier than air seasoning
when the supplies are small.
If proper attention is not given, the timber is likely to develop surface
cracks, warping and splitting
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Chemical Seasoning
In chemical seasoning carbon dioxide, ammonium carbonate
or urea are used as agents for seasoning, those are applied in
dry state, the internal surface of timber dries first than outer
side. This ensures uniform seasoning. The time required for
this seasoning is 30 to 40 days.
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Electric Seasoning
In this method, high frequency
alternating currents are passed through
timber. The timber when it is green,
offers less resistance to the flow of
electric current. The resistance increases
as the wood dries internally. This is the
most rapid way of seasoning. The time
required for this seasoning is 05 to 08
hours. But the initial and maintenance
costs are so high that it becomes
uneconomical to season timber on
commercial basis by this method.
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Water Seasoning
In water seasoning, timber logs are kept immersed whole in
the flowing water. The sap present in timber is washed away.
After that logs are taken out from water and are kept in open
air, so water present in timber would be dried by air. The
time required for this type of seasoning is 2 to 4 weeks.
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DEFECTS IN TIMBER
Most common defects in timber are:
Heart Shakes
Star Shakes
Cup Shakes
Radial Shakes
Rind Galls
Wind Cracks
Knots
Dead Wood
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Preservation of Timber
It means protecting from fungi and insects attack so that its
life is increased. The following are the widely used:
Tar
Paints
Chemical salt
Creosote
ASCU
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Tar Treatment:
Hot coal tar is applied to timber with brush. The coating of
tar protects the timber from the attack of fungi and insects. It
is a cheapest way of protecting timber. Main disadvantage of
this is that Appearance is not good after tar is applied.
Paints Treatment:
Two to three coats of oil paints are applied on clean surface
of wood. The paint protects the timber from moisture. The
paint is to be applied from time to time. Paint improves the
appearance of the timber. Solignum paint is a special paint
which protects the timber.
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Chemical salt Treatment:
These are the preservatives made by dissolving salts in water.
The salts used are copper sulphate, masonry chloride, zinc
chloride and sodium fluoride. After treating the timber with
these chemical salt paints and varnishes can be applied to get
good appearance.
Creosote oil treatment:
Creosote oil is obtained by distillation of coal tar. The
seasoned timber is kept in an air tight chamber and air is
exhausted. Then creosote oil is pumped into the chamber at a
pressure of 0.8 to 1.0 N/mm2 at a temperature of 50°C.
After 1 to 2 hours timber is taken out of the chamber.
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ASCU Treatment:
This preservative is developed by the Forest Research
Institute, Dehradun. It consists of 1 part by weight of
hydrated arsenic pent-oxide (As2O5, 2 H2O), 3 parts by
weight of copper sulphate(CuSO4⋅5 H2O) and 4 parts by
weight of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) or sodium
dichromate (Na2Cr2O7⋅2 H2O). This preservative is
available in powder form. By mixing six parts of this powder
with 100 parts of water, the solution is prepared. The
solution is then sprayed over the surface of timber. This
treatment prevents attack from termites. The surface may be
painted to get desired appearance.
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TIMBER TYPES AND THEIR USES
WOOD BASED PRODUCTS
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THANK YOU
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