Timber

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Seasoning of Timber
 Seasoning is the controlled process of
reducing the moisture content of the timber
so that it is suitable for the environment and
intended use. After seasoning ,timber is
easier to work with because it is lighter,
harder and stronger.
 When timber is first felled it is known as
green timber and has a very high moisture
content. Before timber can be used it must
be dried. Aim of seasoning is to dry out the
wood to suitable moisture content of 22%
or less.

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 Seasoning can be done by the following
methods:
(I) Natural/Air seasoning
(II) Kiln seasoning
(I) Natural/Air seasoning: In this method,
the seasoning of timber is carried out by
natural air and hence it is also sometimes
referred to as air seasoning.

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 Following procedure is adopted in the air
seasoning:
 The timber pieces are arranged in layers
one above the other.
 The ground where stack is to be
constructed is cleared and it is leveled for
good drainage.
 Each layer is separated by spacers
 The stack is to be protected from fast
blowing wind, rain and extreme heat of sun.
hence the stack should preferably be
covered by a roof of suitable material.
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 Advantages of air seasoning:
(I) No expensive equipment is needed.
(II) Small labor cost once stack is made.
(III) Environmentally friendly-uses little
energy.
Disadvantages of air seasoning:
(I) Slow drying rate
(II) Large area of space required for a lot of
timber

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 Kiln seasoning:
Timber is stacked properly in the kiln by keeping
open spaces for hot air circulations. Initially
temperature is maintained low slightly higher than
the room temperature. Successfully temp. is raised,
humidity is reduced and air circulation is made
faster.
Advantages of kiln seasoning:
(I) Quicker due to higher temp., ventilations and air
circulations.
(II) Achieve a lower moisture content.
(III) Defects associated with drying can be
controlled.
Disadvantages of kiln seasoning:
(I) It is expensive
(II) It requires supervision by a skilled operator
(III) Uses a lot energy
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Qualities of Good Timber
 Appearance: A freshly cut surface of timber should
exhibit a hard and shining appearance.
 Colour: The colour of the timber should be preferably
dark.
 Hardness: A good timber should be hard
 Durability: A good timber should be durable. It should be
capable of resisting the action of fungi, insects, chemicals,
physical agencies and mechanical agencies.
 Strength: A good timber should be strong for working as
a structural member.
 Structure: The structure should be uniform and the
medullary rays should be hard and compact. The annual
rings should be regular and should be closely located.
Properties of timber:
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MORTAR

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MORTAR
 The term mortar is used to indicate a
paste prepared by adding required
quantity of water to a mixture of binding
material like cement or Lime and fine
aggregates like sand.
 Mortar = Cement/Lime + FA + Water

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Types of mortar
1.Cement mortar : In this mortar, Cement is
used as binding material. Depending upon the
strength required and importance of work, the
proportion of cement to sand varies from 1:2 to
1:6 or more. it is stronger than lime mortar and
is used most of civil engineering work like
masonry, plaster etc.
2.Lime mortar : In this mortar, lime is used as
binding material. Lime may be fate lime or
Hydraulic lime. Fat lime mortar 1:2 to 1:3 and
hydraulic lime mortar may be1:2 by volume.
3.Mud mortar: It is made by sticky clay and
water.For cheap work use fibrous material like
gober.

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Properties of good mortar
 It should be capable of developing good
adhesion with the building units such as
bricks, stones etc.
 It should be capable of resisting
penetration of rainwater.
 It should be cheap.
 It should be durable.
 It should be easily workable.
 It should not affect the durability of
materials with which it comes into
contact.
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 Bulking of Sand

• The presence of moisture in sand increases the

volume of sand. This is due to fact that moisture
causes film of water around the sand particles which
result in the increase of volume of sand.

• For a moisture content of 5 to 8 percent, the increase

in volume may be about 20 to 40 percent, depending
upon the grading of sand. The finer the material, the
more will be the increase in volume for a given
moisture content. This phenomenon is known as
Bulking of Sand.
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CONCRETE

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 Ingredients in concrete
1.Binding material like cement, lime, etc.
2.Fine Aggregate (Sand)
3.Course Aggregate
4.Water
5.Admixture
 Concrete = Cement + FA + CA +
Water + Admixture

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CONCRETE
 Cement concrete is a mixture of cement,
sand, pebbles or crushed rock and water.
 When placed in the skeleton of forms and
allowed to cure, becomes hard like a stone.
 Cement concrete is important building
material because of the following reasons.
1.It can be moulded into any size and shape of
durable structural member.
2.It is possible to control the properties of
cement concrete.
3.It possesses adequate plasticity for
mechanical working.

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