TIMBER

Building Construction

Siddharth Bagga
SUSHANT SCHOOL OF ART AND ARCHITECTURE  
 INTRODUCTION
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
TIMBER AND WOOD

The term ‘wood’ is used to refer to the trees, specifically it refers to the
substance that trees are made out of. Wood is the hard, fibrous
structural tissue that is commonly found in the stems and roots of the
trees. It is a natural composite of cellulose fibers.

Timber, on the other hand, is a type of wood that has been processed
into beams and planks, a stage in the process of wood production.
Timber is mainly used for structural purposes but has many other uses
as well.

WOOD TIMBER

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 TYPES OF TREES
EXOGENOUS AND
ENDOGENOUS TREES

Trees may be broadly grouped into exogenous and endogenous trees

according to the way in which their stem diameter increases.

Endogenous trees, mainly in the monocotyledons (e.g. palms), grow

by addition of new material inwards, i.e. the growth is longitudinal.
Trees are hollow at the core and have flexible stem. e.g.- Bamboo,
coconut, Sugarcane etc. (only, bamboo can be used for construction
purpose). These are very flexible due to which they are not generally
used for construction material.

ENDOGENEOUS

BAMBOO PALM

Exogenous trees, which comprise the great majority of modern trees

(all conifers, and all broadleaf trees), grow by the addition of new
wood outwards, immediately under the bark. Trees increase in bulk by
growing outwards and distinct consecutive rings are formed in the

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 horizontal section of such. These rings are called annual rings,
because one such ring added every year, such trees grow bigger in
diameter as well. Timber from these suitable for construction purpose.

Exogenous trees are further divided into

1. Conifer (soft wood):

Evergreen tree yielding softwood

Trees with pointed leaves

Example: Pine, Chirr

2. Deciduous (Hard wood):

Trees with broad leaves yielding hardwood

Shed their leaves in winter (Sal, Sheesham etc)

EXOGENEOUS

PINE
SAL

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EXOGENOUS TREES

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 BASIC USAGE

It is one of the most important construction materials. It is used as

structural element in buildings, widely for doors, windows and
partitions and find large use through secondary wood products like
plywood, particle boards and laminated boards, etc.

When tree has been cut down and its stem and branches are roughly
converted into pieces of suitable length, then it is known as Rough
Timber.

When roughly converted timber is further sawn and converted into

commercialized the planks, battens, posts etc. is called converted
Timber. (Planks – board, plyboard, wood boards; battens-Partition,
Roofing, something to hold)

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 SEASONING OF TIMBER

Seasoning of timber is the process by which moisture content in the

timber is reduced to required level. By reducing moisture content, the
strength, elasticity and durability properties are developed. A well-
seasoned timber has 15% moisture content in it.

METHODS OF SEASONING OF TIMBER

There are two methods of Seasoning of timber which are

explained below

1. Natural seasoning
2. Artificial seasoning

Natural Seasoning of Timber

Natural seasoning is the process in which timber is seasoned by

subjecting it to the natural elements such as air or water. Natural
seasoning may be water seasoning or air seasoning.

Water Seasoning

Water seasoning is the process in which timber is immersed in

water flow which helps to remove the sap present in the timber.
It will take 2 to 4 weeks of time and after that the timber is
allowed to dry. Well-seasoned timber is ready to use.

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 Water Seasoning

Air Seasoning

In the process of air seasoning timber logs are arranged in layers

in a shed. The arrangement is done by maintaining some gap
with the ground. So, platform is built on ground at 300mm
height from ground. The logs are arranged in such a way that air
is circulated freely between logs. By the movement of air, the
moisture content in timber slowly reduces and seasoning occurs.
Even though it is a slow process it will produce well-seasoned
timber.

Air Seasoning

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Artificial Seasoning of Timber

Natural seasoning gives good results but takes more time. So, artificial
seasoning of timber is developed nowadays. By artificial seasoning,
timber is seasoned with in 4-5 days. Here also different methods of
artificial seasoning are there and they are as follows.

Seasoning by Boiling

Seasoning of timber is also achieved by boiling it in water for 3 to

4 hours. After boiling timber is allowed to drying. For large
quantity of timber boiling is difficult so, sometimes hot steam is
passed through timber logs in enclosed room. It also gives good
results. The boiling or steaming process develops the strength
and elasticity of timber but economically it is of heavier cost.

Chemical Seasoning

In case of chemical seasoning, timber is stored in suitable salt

solution for some time. The salt solution used has the tendency
to absorb water from the timber. So, the moisture content is
removed and then timber is allowed to drying. It affects the
strength of the timber. Kiln Seasoning

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Kiln Seasoning

In this method timber is subjected to hot air in air tight

chamber. The hot air circulates in between the timber logs
and reduces the moisture content. The temperature inside
the chamber is raised with the help of heating coils. When
the required temperature is obtained moisture content and
relative humidity gets reduced and timber gets seasoned.
Even though it is costly process it will give good results
strength wise.

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 DEFECTS IN TIMBER

Various defects which are likely to occur in timber may be grouped

into the following three:

(i) Due to natural forces

(ii) Due to defective seasoning and conversions.

(iii) Due to attack by fungi and insects.

Defects due to Natural Forces

The following defects are caused by natural forces:

Knots

When a tree grows, many of its branches fall and the stump of
these branches in the trunk is covered. In the sawn pieces of
timber, the stump of fallen branches appear as knots. Knots are
dark and hard pieces. Grains are distorted in this portion. If the
knot is intact with surrounding wood, it is called live knot. If it is
not held firmly it is dead knot.

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Shakes

The shakes are cracks in the timber which appear due to

excessive heat, frost or twisting due to wind during the growth of
a tree. Depending upon the shape and the positions shakes can
be classified as star shake, cup shake, ring shakes and heart
shakes.

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Wind Cracks

These are the cracks on the outside of a log due to the shrinkage
of the exterior surface.

Upsets

This type of defect is due to excessive compression in the tree

when it was young. Upset is an injury by crushing. This is also
known as rupture.

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Defects due to Defective Seasoning and Conversion

If seasoning is not uniform, the converted timber may warp and twist
in various directions. Sometimes honey combining and even cracks
appear. This type of defect is more susceptible in case of kiln
seasoning.
In the process of converting timber to commercial sizes and shapes the
following types of defects are likely to arise: chip marks, torn grain etc.

Defects due to Fungi and Insects Attack

Fungi are minute microscopic plant organism. They grow in wood if

moisture content is more than 20°C and exposed to air. Due to fungi
attack rotting of wood, takes place. Wood becomes weak and stains
appear on it.
Beetles, marine borers and termites (white ants) are the insects which
eat wood and weaken the timber. Some woods like teak have
chemicals in their compositions and resist such attacks. Other woods
are to be protected by chemical treatment.

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 METHODS OF SAWING TIMBER

1. ORDINARY SAWN OR FLAT SAWN

- Parallel cuts made throughout the length of the log
- Cutting parallel slices of planks
- Easiest and economical method
- Shrinkage of sapwood more than the heartwood
- Causing warp and twisting of planks

2. QUARTER SAWING
- Tendency to cup i.e. to curve in a transverse direction
- When applied to wood, not having distinct medullar rays;
- this method produces very fine wood

3. RIFT OR RADIAL SAWING

- Timber cut parallel to medullar rays and perpendicular
to annual rings
- least shrinkage but most wasted
- limited rift is adopted
- Greater decorative effect; medullar rays pronounced

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4. TANGENTIAL SAWING
- Boards or planks sawn tangentially to annual rings
- Not suitable for flooring
- Planks cut by this method warp too much

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 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF TIMBER

Timber is a versatile material. It offers several advantages.

Excellent insulator: houses they are built out of bricks also

known to have outstanding insulating properties, but timber
manages to surpass them

Timber is an elastic material: At the opposite of brick or concrete

walls, timber walls don’t need to be very thick. A 20m timber
wall for example, is strong enough to protect the internal space
against the winter cold, in conjunction with a proper treatment

Easy and fast to build: a timber construction can be built very

easy and fast in contrast to a common brick or concrete
construction

Sustainable: timber is a renewable resource

Reusable: timber can be used more than once. It is easy to

recycle

Price: to build a timber house or a timber construction is cheaper

than any other common procedure which has the same
requirements or sizes.

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 Weight: timber is very light

Strength: Timber framings are strong in real structural terms

Aesthetic appeal: timber is a beautiful material for both internal

and external appearance

But a few disadvantages as well –

Shrinking and swelling: Timber has a natural ability to absorb

water which is also known as Hygroscopy

Fire resistance: If timber has not passed a special treatment

which ensure a special fire rating, timber is highly combustible

Discolouration: With the time untreated timber which is

exposed to the different weather influences it discolours turns to
a dark and dirty optic

Mouldiness: If timber is treated wrong or the installation is not

regulated accordingly, timber has the ability to mound.

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