TIMBER/WOOD

GROUP 7
GROUP NUMBER
•TENEBE JOSEPH WILFRED
•OMATIE ADIOHWO DAVID
•IDEOZU JOSHUA
•OKAORO AKACHUKWU
•AKPA AROME SAMSON
✓DEFINITIONS
✓STRUCTURE & TYPE OF TREES
✓SEASONING OF TIMBER
✓USES OF TIMBER
✓DEFECTS IN TIMBER
✓DEFECTS DUE TO NATURAL FORCES
✓DEFECTS DUE TO FUNGI
✓DEFECTS DUE INSECTS
✓DEFECTS DUE TO CONVERSION
✓PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
 TIMBER:
The wood which is suitable or fit for
engineering construction or engineering
purpose is called timber.
WOOD:
The organic matter obtained from trees
is called wood.
 LUMBER:
The sawed wood prepared for use as Building
materials. And this can be applicable in building in
the form of boards, planks etc therefore we can
say readily processed wood/timber is called
lumber.
A TREE BEFORE IT IS PROCESSED
CROSS SECTION OF A TIMBER
 TYPES OF TREES:
TREES ARE CLASSIFIED INTO TWO GROUPS
DEPENDING UPON GROWTH PATTERN.
(1) ENDOGENOUS TREES:
THE TREES WHICH GROW INWARDS IN
LONGITUDINAL FIBROUS MASS ARE CALLED
ENDOGENOUS TREES.
(2) EXOGENOUS TRESS :
THE TREES WHICH GROW IN OUT WARDS ACROSS
HORIZONTAL SECTION OF STEM ARE CALLED EXOGENOUS
TREES.
THESE TREES ARE ONLY FIT FOR ENGINEERING
CONSTRUCTION.

9
 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. ALL THOSE METHODS WHICH ARE USED
FOR REMOVING THE SAP FROM TIMBER ARE COLLECTIVELY
TERMED AS SEASONING OF TIMBER.
 ADVANTAGES OF SEASONED TIMBER:
• IT HAS REDUCED WEIGHT,
• IT IS STRONG AND DURABLE,
• IT HAS RESISTANCE TO DECAY OR ROT,
• IT TAKES HIGH POLISH,
• IT IS EASIER TO WORK,
• ITS LIFE IS MORE.
 TYPES OF TIMBER SEASONING:
THE MAIN TYPES OF TIMBER SEASONING ARE AS UNDER.
(1)NATURAL SEASONING,
(2)ARTIFICIAL SEASONING,
(A) KILN SEASONING,
(B) CHEMICAL SEASONING,
(C) ELECTRIC SEASONING,
(3) WATER SEASONING,
 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.
14
 ARTIFICIAL SEASONING
(A) KILN SEASONING,
(B) CHEMICAL SEASONING,

(C) ELECTRIC SEASONING,

(A) 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.
16
KILN SEASONING

17
(B) CHEMICAL SEASONING:
IN CHEMICAL SEASONING CARBON DIOXIDE, AMMONIUM
CARBONATE OR UREA ARE USED AS AGENTS FOR SEASONING,
THOSE ARE APPLIED IN DRY STATE, THE INNER SURFACE OF
TIMBER DRIES FIRST THAN OUTER SIDE.
THIS ENSURES UNIFORM SEASONING. THE TIME REQUIRED FOR
THIS SEASONING IS 30 TO 40 DAYS.
18
(C) ELECTRIC SEASONING:
IN THIS METHOD ELECTRIC CURRENT IS PASSED
THROUGH THE TIMBER LOGS. THE TIME REQUIRED FOR
THIS SEASONING IS 05 TO 08 HOURS.

19
 ELECTRIC SEASONING

Developed by:G.S.Solangi
20
(3) 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.

21
SUBMITTED BY-
JAYVANT CHOUDHARY
C.E , 4TH SEM
• A DEFECT IS AN IRREGULARITY OR ABNORMALITY OCCURING IN OR ON WOOD WHICH IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS
1. STRENGTH REDUCTION
2. LOWERING OF DURABLITY
3. LOWERING OF UTILITY
4. POOR APPERANCE
5. DECAY
 (CAUSED DUE TO)

NATURAL FORCES INSECTS SEASONING

FUNGI CONVERSION
CHEMICAL STAIN

KNOTS

SHAKES

TWISTED FIBRES

RIND GALLS

UPSETS

BURLS
CHEMICAL STAIN:-THE WOOD IS SOMETIMES
DISCOLOURED BY THE CHEMICAL ACTION
CAUSED WITH IT BY SOME EXTERNAL
AGENCY.THIS IS KNOWN AS CHEMICAL STAIN.

RIND GALLS:-THE RIND MEANS BARK AND GALL

INDICATES ABNORMAL GROWTH.HENCE PECULIAR
CURVED SWELLING FOUND ON THE BODY OF TREE ARE
KNOWN AS RIND GALL.THEY DEVELOP AT POINTS FROM
WHERE BRANCHES ARE IMPROPERLY CUT OFF OR
REMOVED.THEY ARE RARELY FOUND IN A TREE AND THE
TIMBER IN THIS PART IS VERY WEAK AND NOT DURABLE.
COARSE GRAIN:-IF THE TREE GROWS RAPIDLY,THE ANNUAL RINGS ARE
WIDENED.IT IS KNOWN AS THE COARSED GRAIN TIMBER AND SUCH TIMBER
POSSESSES LESS STRENGTH

KNOTS:-THESE ARE THE BASES OF BRANCHES OR

LIMBS WHICH ARE BROKEN OR CUT OFF FROM THE
TREE.THE PORTION FROM WHICH THE BRANCH IS
REMOVED RECIEVES NOURISHMENT FROM THE STEM FOR
A PRETTY LONG TIME AND IT ULTIMATELY RESULTS IN
FORMATION OF DARK HARD RINGS WHICH ARE KNOWN
AS KNOTS.AS CONTINUITY OF WOOD FIBRES ARE
BROKEN BY KNOTS,THEY FORM A SOURCE OF WEAKNESS
PIN KNOT:-DIAMETRE UPTO 6.50MM
SMALL KNOT:-DIAMETRE UPTO 6.5 AND 20MM
MEDIUM KNOT:-DIAMETER BETWEEN 20 AND 40MM
LARGE KNOT:-DIAMETER GREATER THAN 40MM

DEAD KNOT:-KNOT WHICH IS SEPERATED FROM BODY OF WOOD.IT IS NOT SAFE TO USE WOOD WITH
SUCH A KNOT FOR ENGINEERING PURPOSES.
DECAYED KNOT:-POPULARLY KNOWN AS UNSOUND KNOTAND FORM BY ACTION OF FUNGI ON WOOD.
LIVE KNOT:-IT IS THOROUGHLY FIXED IN WOOD AND CANNOT SEPERATED OUT FROM BODY OF WOOD.IT IS
FREE FROM CRACKS AND DECAY.WOOD CONTAINING THIS KNOT CAN BE USED FOR ENGINEERING
PURPOSES.
LOOSE KNOT:-IT IS PRELIMINARY STAGE OF DEAD KNOT.
ROUND KNOT:-THE CROSS-SECTION OF THIS TYPE OF KNOT IS EITHER ROUND OR OVAL
TIGHT KNOT:-IT IS PRELIMINARY STAGE OF LIVE KNOT.THE FIBRES OF KNOT ARE FIRMLY HELD IN
SORROUNDING WOOD.
DEAD WOOD:-THE TIMBER WHICH IS OBTAINED FROMDEAD STANDING
TREES CONTAINS DEAD WOOD.IT IS INDICATED BY LIGHT WEIGHT AND
REDDISH COLOUR.

DRUXINESS:-THIS DEFECT IS INDICATED BY WHITE DECAYED SPOTS WHICH ARE

CONCEALED BY HEALTHY WOOD THEY ARE PROBABLY FORMED BY ACCESS OF FUNGI.

SHAKES:-THESE ARE LONGITUDINAL SEPERATIONS IN

WOOD BETWEEN THE ANNUAL RINGS.THESE ARE CRACKS
WHICH PARTLY OR COMPLETELY SEPARATE FIBRES OF
WOOD.THE SEPERATIONS MAKE THE WOOD UNDESIRABLE
WHEN APPERANCE IS IMPORTENT
 STAR SHAKES:-THESE ARE CRACKS WHICH EXTEND FROM
BARK TOWARDS THE SAP WOOD.THESE ARE USUALLY
CONFINED UPTO THE PLANE OF SAP WOOD.THESE ARE WIDER
ON OUTSIDE ENDS AND NARROWER ON INSIDE ENDS.THEY ARE
USUALLYFORMED DUE TO EXTREME HEAT OR SEVERE FROST
DURING THE GROWTH OF TREE

CUP SHAKES:-IT APPEARS AS CURVED SPLIT WHICH PARTLY

OR WHOLLY SEPERATES ANNUAL RINGS FROM ONE
ANOTHER.IT IS CAUSED DUE TO EXCESSIVE FROST ACTION ON
SAP PRESENT IN THE TREE ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TREE IS
YOUNG
HEART SHAKES:-THESE CRACKS OCCUR IN CENTRE OF CROSS-
SECTION OF TREE AND THEY EXTEND FROM PITH TO SAP WOOD IN
DIRECTION OF MEDULLARY RAYS.THESE CRACKS OCCUR DUE TO
SHRINKAGE OF INTERIOR PART OF TREE WHICH IS APPROACHING
MATURITY.THE HEART SHAKE DIVIDE THE TREE CROSS-SECTION
INTO TWO OR FOUR PARTS.

RING SHAKES:-WHEN CUP SHAKES COVER THE ENTIRE

,THEY ARE KNOWN AS RING SHAKES
TWISTED FIBRES:-THESE ARE KNOWN AS WANDERING HEARTS AND
CAUSED BY TWISTING OF YOUNG TREES BY FAST BLOWING WIND.THE
TIMBERS WITH TWISTED FIBRES IS UNSUITABLE FOR SAWING

UPSETS:-THESE INDICATE WOOD FIBRES WHICH ARE INJURED BY

CRUSHING OR COMPRESSION.THE UPSETS ARE MAINLY DUE TO
IMPROPER FELLING OF TREE AND EXPOSURE OF TREE IN ITS YOUNG
AGE TO FAST BLOWING WIND

BURLS:-THEY ARE PARTICULARLY FORMED WHEN A TREE RECIEVES

SHOCK OR INJURY IN ITS YOUNG AGE.DUE TO ITS INJURY,THE
GROWTH OF TREE IS COMPLETELY UPSET AND IRREGULAR
PROJECTIONS APPEAR ON THE BODY OF TIMBER
BLUE STAIN BROWN ROT DRY ROT HEART ROT WET ROT WHITE ROT
BLUE STAIN :-THE SAP OF WOOD IS STAINED TO BLUISH COLOUR BY
THE ACTION OF CERTAIN TYPE OF FUNGI

BROWN ROT :-THE TERM ROT IS USED TO INDICATE DECAY OR

DISEASE OF TIMBER,THE FUNGI OF CERTAIN TYPE REMOVES
CELLULOSE COMPOUNDS FROM WOOD AND HENCE WOOD
ASSUMES THE BROWN COLOUR

WHITE ROT:-IT IS JUST OPPOSITE OF BROWN ROT.IN THIS

CERTAIN TYPE OF FUNGI ATTACK LIGNIN OF WOOD AND WOOD
ASSUMES THE APPEARANCE OF A WHITE MASS CONSISTING OF
CELLULOSE COMPOUNDS
 HEART ROT:-THIS IS FORMED WHEN BRANCH HAS COME OUT OF THE
TREE.IN SUCH CASE,THE HEART WOOD IS EXPOSED TO ATTACK OF
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS.ULTIMATELY THE TREE BECOMES WEAK AND IT
GIVES HOLLOW SOUND WHEN STRUK WITH HAMMER

WET ROT:-SOME KIND OF FUNGI CAUSEDCHEMICAL DECOMPOSITION

OF WOOD OF TIMBER AND IN DOING SO CONVERT TIMBER INTO GREYISH
BROWN POWDER.IT IS KNOWN AS WET ROT. SOME IMPORTANT POINTS
TO BE REMEMBERED ABOUT WET ROT ARE.

➢THE ALTERNATE WET AND DRY CONDITIONS FAVOURS THE DEVELOPMENT OF WET ROT
➢IF UNSEASONED OR IMPROPERLY SEASONED TIMBER ARE EXPOSED TO RAIN AND WIND,THEY BECOME
EASILY LIABLE FOR ATTACK OF WET ROT.
➢TO PREVENT WET ROT,THE WELL SEASONED TIMBER SHOULD BE USED FOR EXTERIOR WORK OR FOR
UNDERGROUND WORK AND IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY TAR OR PAINT FOR PROTECTION AGAINST
MOISTURE
DRY ROT :- SOME TYPES OF FUNGI FEED ON WOODS AND DURING
FEEDING THEY ATTACK ON WOOD AND CONVERT IT INTO DRY
POWDER FORM.THIS IS KNOWN AS DRY ROT.THE FOLLOWING FACTS
TO BE NOTED.

➢DRY ROT OCCURS AT THE PLACES WHERE THERE IS NO FREE CIRCULATION OF AIR SUCH AS IMPROPERLY
VENTILATED BASEMENTS,ROOMS ETC AND DAMPED SITUATION LIKE KITCHEN TOILET ETC.
➢THE UNSESONED SAP WOOD ARE EASILY ATTACKED BY DRY ROT.
➢THE FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS FOR GROWTH OF FUNGUS CAUSING DRY ROT ARE ABSENCE OF
SUNLIGHT,DAMPNESS,PRESENCE OF SAP,STAGNANT AIR AND WARMTH.
➢IT IS ALSO CAUSED BY CHARRING,PAINTING AND TARRING THE UNSEASONED TIMBER.
➢THE DRY ROT MAY BE PREVENTED BY USING WELL SEASONED TIMBER FREE FROM SAP.
➢WHEN A PART OF TREE IS SERIOUSLY AFFECTED BY DRY ROT,THE DAMAGED PORTION MAY BE COMPLETELY
REMOVED AND REMAINING UNAFFECTED PORTION SHOULD BE PAINTED WITH A SOLUTION OF COPPER SULPHATE.
 (CAUSED BY)

BEETLES MARINE BOARERS TERMITES

 Flour like powder

➢THEY FORM PIN HOLES OF SIZE ABOUT 2MM DIA IN WOOD

➢TUNNEL FORMATION IS DONE IN SAP WOOD BY LARVAE OF BEETLE
➢CONVERSION OF TIMBER INTO FLOUR LIKE POWDER
➢THEY DO NOT DISTURB OUTER SHELL OR COVER
 BOARS

➢THEY ARE FOUND IN SALTY WATER

➢THEY FORM TUNNELS OR BORES TO TAKE SHELTERS
➢DIAMETER AND LENGTH OF HOLES ARE AS HIGH AS 25MM AND 60 MM RESPECTIVELY
➢AFFECTED WOOD LOOSES ITS COLOUR AND STRENGTH
➢NO TIMBER IS COMPLETELY IMMUNE FROM ATTACK OF MARINE BOARERS
➢LIVES IN COLONY AND VERY FAST IN EATING AWAY THE WOOD FROM CORE OF
CROSS-SECTION.
➢MAKES TUNNELS IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS AND USUALLY NOT DISTURB THE
OUTER SHELL OR COVER.
➢THE TIMBER PIECE ATTACKED BY TERMITES MAY LOOK SOUND UNTILL IT
COMPLETELY FAILS
➢FEW GOOD TIMBERS LIKE TEAK,SAL,ETC CAN RESIST THE ACTION OF TERMITES
CHIP MARK DIAGONAL GRAIN TORN GRAIN WANE
CHIP MARK:-THIS DEFECT IS INDICATED BY
MARK OR SIGNS PLACED ON FINISHED
SURFACE OF TIMBER.THEY MAY BE FORMED
BY PLANING MACHINE

WANE:-THIS DEFECT IS DENOTED

BY PRESENCE OF ORIGINAL
ROUNDED SURFACE ON
MANUFACTURED PART OF TIMBER
DIAGONAL GRAIN:-THE DEFECT IS FORMED
DUE TO IMPROPER SAWING SAWING OF
TIMBER.IT IS INDICATED BY DIAGONAL MARKS
ON STRAIGHT GRAINED SURFACE OF TIMBER

TORN GRAIN:-DEFECT CAUSED WHEN A

SMALL DEPRESSION IS FORMED ON A
FINISHED SURFACE OF TIMBER BY
FALLING A TIMBER OR SO

TORN GRAIN
TWIST CUP BOW SPRING SPLIT HONEY COMBING
BOW:-THIS DEFECT IS INDICATED BY
CURVATURE FORMED IN DIRECTION OF
LENGTH OF TIMBER

CUP:-THIS DEFECT IS INDICATED BY

CURVATURE FORMED IN TRANSVERSE
DIRECTION OF TIMBER
 CHECK:-A CRACK WHICH
SEPERATES FIBRES OF
WOOD.IT DOES NOT EXTEND
FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER

SPLIT
SPLIT:-WHEN CHECK EXTENDS FROM
CHECK ONE END TO OTHER,IT IS KNOWN AS
A SPLIT
 TWIST:-WHEN A PIECE OF TIMBER HAS
SPIRALLY DISTORTED ALONG ITS
LENGTH,IT IS KNOWN AS A TWIST

HONEY-COMBING:-DUE TO STRESS
DEVOLOPED DURING DRYING,VARIOUS
RADIAL AND CIRCULAR CRACKS DEVELOP
IN THE INTERIOR PORTION OF
TIMBER,WHICH RESEMBLES WITH HONEY-
COMB TEXTURE
HONEY-COMB STRUCTURE
 TIMBER PRESERVATIVES:
THERE ARE TWO MAIN CLASSES OF TIMBER
PRESERVATIVES.
(1) OILY SUBSTANCES INSOLUBLE IN WATER
(2) WATER SOLUBLE SALTS
 OILY SUBSTANCES INSOLUBLE
IN WATER:
Coal tar oil is the best known and widely used
preservative material of this class. It is obtained
during the destructive distillation of bituminous
coal. It is available in many grades and types. It
has high degree of penetration. It has highly
toxic effect to wood destroying fungi.
 WATER SOLUBLE SALTS:

ZINC CHLORIDE IS THE MOST EXTENSIVELY USED

PRESERVATIVE OF THIS TYPE. IT IS CLEAN AND ODORLESS .

✓BUILDING MATERIALS-S.K.DUGGAL
✓BUILDING MATERIALS-RANGWALA
✓BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING-DR.B.C.PUNMIA
✓BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING-SATHEESH GOPI
✓GOOGLE- TIMBER BUILDING MATERIAL
✓GOOGLE-DEFECTS OF TIMBER
USES OF TIMEBR:
TIMBER IS USED IN:
1.BUILDING CONSTRUCTION,
2.CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSE POSTS,
3.CONSTRUCTION OF BEAMS,
4.CONSTRUCTION OF RAFTERS,
5.CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES,
6.CONSTRUCTION OF PILES, POLES AND RAILWAY
SLEEPERS, Prepared by:G.S.Solangi
7. FOR MAKING FURNITURE,
8. CRATES-FOR LIGHT PACKING CASES,
9. FOR HIGH PACKING CASES (FOR MACHINERY AND
SIMILAR STORES),
10. FOR MANUFACTURING OF AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS,
11. FOR MAKING TOYS, ETC,
12. FOR MANUFACTURING OF VENEERS AND PLY WOODS.
53
•VENEER:
THIN SHEET OF UNIFORM THICKNESS OF WOOD IS CALLED
VENEER.
•PLYWOOD:
VENEERS USED FOR MAKING PLYWOOD ARE KNOWN AS PLIES AND PLY
WOOD IS MADE BY GLUING TOGETHER PLIES IN ODD NUMBERS. GLUING
IS DONE UNDER PRESSURE.

54
• TIMBER IS A NATURAL BUILDING MATERIAL THAT OFFERS
SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVANTAGES. IT IS A VERSATILE, SUSTAINABLE,
ATTRACTIVE AND COST EFFECTIVE BUILDING MATERIAL
THAT COMBINES BEAUTY, PERFORMANCE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGE.
ACCORDING TO WOOD SOLUTIONS , TIMBER'S FLEXIBILITY
AND VERSATILITY OFFER A VARIETY OF DESIGN OPTIONS
THAT ARE LIMITED ONLY BY IMAGINATION. 55
PROPERLY TREATED RECYCLED WOOD MATERIALS OFFER A
MULTITUDE OF BUILDING AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS, CREATING
LIVING SPACES ALIVE WITH BEAUTY, WARMTH AND COMFORT.
3 GOOD REASONS FOR USING WOOD PRODUCTS
WOOD SOLUTIONS IS AN INDUSTRY INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO
PROVIDE INDEPENDENT, NON-PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
ABOUT TIMBER AND WOOD PRODUCTS TO PROFESSIONALS AND
COMPANIES INVOLVED IN BUILDING DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION.
56
• WOOD SOLUTIONS HIGHLIGHT THE THREE MAIN BENEFITS OF USING WOOD OR
TIMBER IN THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY:
• ENVIRONMENTAL
• RENEWABLE, SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE THAT STORE CARBON DIOXIDE
• THE MANUFACTURE PROCESS OF WOOD PRODUCTS REQUIRES SMALLER
AMOUNTS OF ENERGY AND IT CAN BE REUSED OR RECYCLED
• LOW EMBODIED ENERGY
• MAXIMISE GREEN STAR ENERGY RATING CREDITS
• DESIGN ADVANTAGES
• TIMBER MATERIALS HAVE AESTHETIC APPEAL
• COST EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO OTHER
MAJOR BUILDING MATERIAL CHOICES
• VERSATILE AND CAN BE USED IN VARIOUS
CONTEMPORARY USES AND APPLICATIONS
• ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS CREATE
STRUCTURES THAT ARE STRONG, VISUALLY
APPEALING AND UNIQUE
• PRODUCT PERFORMANCE
• PROVIDES ACOUSTIC, THERMAL AND STRENGTH
PERFORMANCE
• IN A FIRE SITUATION, TIMBER PERFORMS IN A
MEASURABLE, PREDICTABLE WAY ALLOWING DESIGNERS
THE ABILITY TO CREATE STRONG, DURABLE, FIRE
RESISTANT TIMBER CONSTRUCTIONS
• TIMBER OR WOOD IS A VERSATILE BUILDING MATERIAL THAT
CAN BE USED FOR STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS SUCH AS
BEAMS, WALLS, FLOORING, FORMWORK AND LARGE TIMBER
PANELS.
 LUMBER GRADES

• THE NATIONAL HARDWOOD LUMBER ASSOCIATION

(NHLA) OF AMERICA HAS CREATED A GRADING
SYSTEM TO RATE VARIOUS TYPES OF LUMBER,
PRIMARILY BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF DEFECTS
THAT CAN BE FOUND IN A BOARD. BELOW IS A BRIEF
SUMMARY OF NHLA GRADES FOR BOTH HARDWOOD
AND SOFTWOOD LUMBER.
• HARDWOODS

1. FIRST AND SECONDS (FAS) - THIS IS THE HIGHEST

GRADE POSSIBLE FOR HARDWOOD LUMBER, AND IS
MAINLY SUITED FOR HIGH-QUALITY FURNISHINGS,
SOLID WOOD MOULDINGS AND INTERIOR JOINERY.
CONTAINS 83% USABLE MATERIAL ON ONE FACE
(MINIMUM 6" X 8" BOARD SIZE).
•
2. SELECT (SEL) - ALSO CONTAINS 83% USABLE MATERIAL,
BUT FOR A SMALLER MINIMUM BOARD SIZE (4" X 6") THAN
FAS.

3. #1 COMMON (#1 COM) - CONTAINS 66% USABLE MATERIAL

ON A 3" X 4" BOARD FACE.

4. #2 COMMON (#2 COM) - CONTAINS 50% USABLE MATERIAL

ON A 3" X 4" BOARD FACE.
• SOFTWOODS

1. C SELECT - ALMOST COMPLETELY FREE OF ALL DEFECTS; COMMONLY USED FOR

CABINETS AND INTERIOR TRIM

2. D SELECT - COMPARABLE TO C SELECT, BUT MAY CONTAIN SMALL KNOTS (NO

BIGGER THAN THE SIZE OF A DIME)

3. 1 COMMON - CONTAINS SMALL, TIGHT KNOTS THAT WON'T FALL OUT; OFFERS A
HIGH-QUALITY KNOTTY APPEARANCE (E.G., PINE)

4. 2 COMMON - VERY SIMILAR TO 1 COMMON, BUT WITH SLIGHTLY LARGER KNOTS;

OFTEN USED IN SHELVING AND PANELING

5. 3 COMMON - LARGER KNOTS THAT WHAT ARE FOUND IN 2 COMMON; TYPICALLY

USED FOR CRATES, BOXES AND FENCES
•
 BENEFITS OF WOOD IN CONSTRUCTION
• WOOD CARRIES SEVERAL BENEFITS THAT MAKE IT AN EXCELLENT CANDIDATE
FOR USE IN A WIDE ARRAY OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. ONE SUCH
BENEFIT IS ITS THERMAL PROPERTIES, WHICH GIVE IT AN ADVANTAGE IN
TERMS OF ITS RESISTANCE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. UNLIKE STEEL, WHICH
CAN EXPAND OR EVEN COLLAPSE IN HIGH HEAT, WOOD ACTUALLY DRIES
OUT AND BECOMES STRONGER AS THE HEAT INCREASES. IN ADDITION, THE
HEAT CONDUCTIVITY OF WOOD IS RELATIVELY LOW IN COMPARISON TO
OTHER MATERIALS SUCH AS ALUMINUM, MARBLE, STEEL, OR GLASS. THIS
GIVES WOOD AN ADVANTAGE IN TERMS OF BEING USED IN VARIOUS
APPLICATIONS SUCH AS MATCHES, HARDWARE EQUIPMENT HANDLES, WALL
COVERINGS, AND CEILINGS.
• WOOD ALSO CONTAINS HIGHLY-SOUGHT-AFTER ACOUSTIC
PROPERTIES. IT CAN ABSORB SOUND AND ECHOES, AND IS
A FAVORITE MATERIAL OF CHOICE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
OF STRUCTURES WHERE PROPER ACOUSTICS IS
IMPORTANT, SUCH AS CONCERT HALLS. WOOD IS
RESISTANT TO ELECTRICAL CURRENTS, MAKING IT AN
OPTIMAL MATERIAL FOR ELECTRICAL INSULATION. ANOTHER
IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC OF WOOD IS ITS TENSILE
STRENGTH, WHICH IS ITS ABILITY TO BEND UNDER
PRESSURE WITHOUT BREAKING. WOOD IS EXCEPTIONALLY
LIGHT IN PROPORTION TO ITS TENSILE STRENGTH, MAKING
• IT THE PREFERRED CONSTRUCTION CHOICE FOR SURFACES THAT
TAKE A CONSTANT BEATING SUCH AS BASKETBALL COURTS AND
BOWLING LANES. TENSILE STRENGTH IS ALSO ONE OF THE MAIN
REASONS FOR CHOOSING TIMBER AS A BUILDING MATERIAL; ITS
REMARKABLY STRONG QUALITIES MAKE IT THE PERFECT CHOICE
FOR HEAVY-DUTY BUILDING MATERIALS SUCH AS STRUCTURAL
BEAMS.

• OF THE MANY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS THAT A PERSON CAN

CHOOSE FROM, WOOD STANDS OUT AS A UNIQUE AND AMAZINGLY
VERSATILE PRODUCT. ITS AESTHETIC APPEAL, TENSILE STRENGTH,
INSULATION QUALITIES, AND EASE OF FABRICATION ENABLE IT TO
APPLICATIONS OF TIMBER TO BUILDINGS

A timber construction
A timber constructed high rise building
A simple bungalow
wooden stairs for building circulation
Interior timber finishes of a barn