DEFECTS AND

DETERIORATION
With thanks to the Canadian Wood Council for slide content.
DEFECTS Image from Introduc tion to Woo d De s ig n 2011 – CWC
DEFECTS KNOTS Image from Introduc tion to Woo d De s ig n 2011 – CWC

▪ Portion of branch or limb

incorporated into main body
of the tree
▪ Classified by form, size,
quality, and occurrence
▪ Affect strength because
displaces clear wood and
slope of the grain changes
around the knot
▪ Reduce more tension than
compression strength
▪ Limits for each stress grade
DEFECTS OTHERS Image from Introduc tion to Woo d De s ig n 2011 – CWC

CHECKS
Radial longitudinal cracks caused
by non-uniform volume changes
as moisture content decreases

SHAKES
Cracks parallel to annual rings
Develops in standing tree

SPLITS
Complete separations of wood
fibers through thickness of
member, a shake can cause a split
DETERIORATION
AND
PRESERVATION
PRESSURE TREATMENT OF WOOD
NEEDED FOR
Decay from entrapped moisture created by dead-air spaces
Termites, Marine borers
Fire resistance

PROCEDURE
Preservative chemicals impregnated under pressure within a treated zone

CHEMICALS USED
Creosote solutions
Oilborne solutions (e.g. pentachlorophenol)
Waterborne oxides