PROPERTIES

OF
TIMBER
Lecture 2
 LAST LECTURE, YOU LEARNED …

The definition of timber as a structural material

The advantages and disadvantages of timber
The structure and the cross-section of a tree
trunk, and
The types of timber
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR THIS
LECTURE:
 To enumerate and define the physical
properties of timber, and

 To visualize the structural components of a

timber building.
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TIMBER
1. Species group
2. Moisture content
3. Duration of Loading
4. Size and shape of wood member
5. Defects
6. Direction of stress with respect to the orientation of wood
grain
7. Ambient temperature
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TIMBER
1. Species Group
 Some timber species are grouped together to form a
species group based on properties

2. Moisture Content
 Defined as percentage amount of moisture in a piece of
wood
 Timber is hygroscopic (attempts to attain an equilibrium
moisture content with its surrounding environment
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TIMBER

2. Moisture Content
 Figure 1. General
relationship between
strength and
moisture content
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TIMBER
3. Duration of Loading
 The longer a load acts on a wood member, the lower its
strength, and conversely, the shorter the duration, the
stronger the wood member.

4. Size and Shape of Sawn Lumber

 The lumber size is usually called out on structural and
architectural drawings using the nominal dimensions.
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TIMBER

4. Size and Shape

of Sawn Lumber
 Table 1.
Nominal,
Actual and
Weight of
Lumber
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TIMBER
5. Timber Defects
 Will have an effect on structural strength as well as on fixing,
stability, durability, and finished appearance of timber.
 Types of defect:
− Natural defect: during the growing period
− Chemical defect: unsuitable positions or in association with
other materials
− Conversion defect: unsound practice
− Seasoning defect: movement that occurs in timber due to
changes in moisture content
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TIMBER

5. Timber Defects
 Figure 2.
Natural and
Conversion
Defects
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TIMBER

5. Timber Defects
 Figure 3.
Seasoning
Defects
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TIMBER
6. Orientation of Wood Grains
 Figure 4. Axial or bending stress
(a) parallel to the grain;
(b) perpendicular to the grain; and
( c) angle to the grain
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TIMBER

7. Ambient Temperature
 Strength of timber decreases, together with increasing
temperature
 Permanent loss of strength may happen if wood is held
at high temperature for a long period
 STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF TIMBER
BUILDING
Joists, Beams and Girders
•Horizontal elements
• Joists: smaller than a beam; supports floor, ceiling, and roof
• Girder: large; main supporting beam
Columns or Posts
• vertical members that resist axial compression loads and may
occasionally resist additional bending loads
Roof Trusses
• are made up of top and bottom chords and web members that
are subject to axial tension and compression loads
STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF TIMBER
BUILDING

Figure 5. Cross section of a timber building