Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying Materials & Construction Technology-4

Timber

Timber is the one of the first materials used in civil engineering application and it was the only
material that could be handled by tools and equipment’s in the period. Timber is the wood,
suitable for building or other types of engineering application.

Timber is not an Isotropic material because elastic property will be changed with the
arrangement of grain boundaries.

(Isotropic materials are materials whose properties remain the same when tested in different
directions)

In engineering application there are number of types of stresses need to be used which are:

I. Bending stress
II. Compressive stress
III. Tension stress
IV. Shear stress

Basically, strength of the timber will be developed along the perpendicular direction of grain
arrangement. A good timber should be durable and capable of resistant of resisting the action of
fungi insects, physical and mechanical agencies.

Commonly good timber should be strong for working as structure member – such as:

I. Rafter in roof structures

II. Roof trusses in building elements
III. Timber beams and columns
IV. Timber piles
V. Timber Floors

Preferable Characteristic of Timber

➢ It should have a uniform colour

➢ It Should have regular annular rings
➢ A freshly cut surfaces of timber / wood to give a sweet smell.
➢ It should have straight and close fibers.
➢ Averagely it has heavy in weight

Uses of Timber

➢ It can be used in the forms of piles, post, lintels, doors, window frame, rafters and trusses
➢ It can be employed for flooring, ceiling, paneling and construction of partition walls in
office building
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Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying Materials & Construction Technology-4

➢ Timber is used for formwork for concrete

➢ For the timbering of trenches
➢ For arch works and scaffoldings
➢ Timber can be used in making furniture, railway slippers and timber frames
➢ For marine structures and bridges

Seasoning of Timber

Seasoning of timber is the process of drying timber for removing moisture from the original
structure of wood. If the timber is used without seasoning it is liable to shrink, twist and crack
into pieces. The main purpose of seasoning of timber is to achieve a good durable and strength
the material.

Objectives of Seasoning

➢ To increase the strength, durability and electrical resisting power of the timber
➢ To maintain the shape and size of components of the timber particles
➢ To make timber safe from attack of fungi and insects
➢ To make the timber easily workable and to facilitate operations during conversion of
timber
➢ To reduce the weight for transporting purpose

Advantages of Seasoning

➢ It decreases the weight of timber and make it lighter

➢ It improves the strength properties of the timber and makes it more stable
➢ It avoids defects and good appearances in the timber elements
➢ It develops the working qualities of timber
➢ Seasoning increases the power in timber to held metal fasteners

Method of Seasoning of Timber

Seasoning of timber can be categorized into two type such as

1. Natural seasoning
There are two methods of natural seasoning can be proceeding which are
a) Air drying or Air seasoning
b) Water seasoning

2. Artificial seasoning
Artificial seasoning method consist of two ways such as
c) Kiln seasoning
d) Chemical seasoning

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01. Natural Seasoning

➢ In timber seasoning natural seasoning techniques is the common method to
protect the timber from moisture affects
➢ In this method timber is directly seasoning either in air or put it into the lakes or
rivers for water absorbing
➢ Natural seasoning is also classified into two methods such as
I. Air watering method / air seasoning method
II. Water seasoning

A. Air Drying / Air Seasoning

In this method the following steps will be carried out for timber seasoning
I. Stack the timber pieces and keep some spaces between two timber places
II. Construct the timber planks on the constructed foundation (refer the figure)

B. Water seasoning

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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2.Artificial seasoning
a) Kiln seasoning
b) Chemical seasoning

a) 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.

b) 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.

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Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying Materials & Construction Technology-4

Sawn timber

Sawn timber is timber that is cut from logs into different shapes and sizes. Sawn timber is
generally cut into varying rectangular widths and lengths, but may also be wedge shaped.
Common sawn timber products include solid timber beams and more
rectangular timber sections.

When timber is cut from logs, it is typically cut in one of three ways:

02. Quarter sawn

03. Rift sawn
04. Plain sawn.

Types of cuts in Timber

01.PLAIN SAWN / FLAT SAWN

Most common, least expensive

Plain sawn, also commonly called flat sawn, is the most common timber type. This is the most
inexpensive way to manufacture logs into timber.

Advantages of plainsawn Timber

➢ Shrinks and swells less in thickness

➢ Surface appearance less affected by round or oval knots compare to other
➢ Less susceptible to collapse in drying
➢ Costs less because it is easy to obtain

02. QUARTER SAWN

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More expensive than plain sawn material

Quarter sawn timber is defined as wood where the annular growth rings intersect the face of the board at a
60 to 90-degree angle.

Quarter sawn wood has almost straight grain pattern. When cutting this timber at the sawmill, each log is
sawed at a radial angle into four quarters.

Advantages of quarter sawn Timber:

➢ Shrinks and swells less in width

➢ Cups, surface-checks, and splits less in seasoning and in use
➢ Does not (rarely) allow liquids to pass through
➢ Holds paint better

03.RIFT SAWN

Most expensive, least common.

It can be manufactured either as a compliment to quarter sawn timber or logs can be cut
specifically as rift sawn.

In rift sawn timber, the annular rings are typically between 30-60 degrees. This method produces
the most waste, increasing the cost of timber. Rift sawn timber is very dimensionally stable and
has a unique linear appearance.

Defects in Timber

Trees give us the timber, which is converted into the required form and finally used. Before
reaching this final stage, timber comes across many critical stages like growing without defects,
cutting at the right time, seasoning, converting, and using.

Different types of defects occur in timber at these various stages. There are various types of
defects in timber as a construction material.

Main causes of defects,

1. Natural forces
2. Fungi
3. During Seasoning
4. During conversion
5. Insects

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Types of Defects in Timber as a Construction Material

Defects due to Natural Forces

1. Wind cracks

If the wood is exposed continuously to the high-speed winds, the outer surface shrinks and
forms crack externally, which are called wind cracks.

2. Shakes

Shakes are cracks which separate the wood fibers partly or completely. Different shakes are
formed in different conditions as follows:

• Cup shakes: Formed due to the non-uniform growth of a tree or excessive bending by
cyclones or winds. In this case, the shakes develop between annual rings and separate
them partly.

• Heart shakes: Develop in maturity approaching trees whose inner part is under
shrinkage.

3. Twisted fibers

When the tree in its younger age is exposed to high-speed winds, the fibers of wood gets twisted.
This type of wood is not suitable for sawing.

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4. Upsets

The fibers of the wood are crushed and compressed by fast blowing winds or inappropriate
chopping of trees.

5. Deadwood

The timber obtained from the cutting of the dead tree is light in weight and is actually defected.
It is reddish in color and its strength is very less

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6. Knots

The base of branches forms a mark on the stem, which results in dark-colored stains on the
surface after conversion.