UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

NYANKPALA CAMPUS
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

DAE 463: BUILDING MATERIALS AND AGRICUTURE STRUCTURE DESIGN

Presentation on Seasoning of Timber and how cement is formed.

Index number: Andoh Aaron (AEN/0014/19)

 Outline
 What is meant by Seasoning of Timber
 Why is timber seasoned?
 Types of seasoning in Timber
 Care for Seasoned Timbers.
 How cement is formed.
Seasoning of Timber
 Definition of Seasoning of Timber.
It is the process of drying out the water from wet or green timber or more simply,
drying. Moisture content in the timber is reduced to a required level. By reducing
moisture content, the strength, elasticity and durability properties are developed. A well
– seasoned timber has 15% moisture content in it.
 Why is Timber Seasoned?

Seasoning timber causes many changes in its properties and in practically every case the
change is an improvement. There is only one principal disadvantage in drying timber, which
is the loss of volume due to shrinkage.
However, by a correct understanding of the shrinkage of timber, this effect can be minimized
and timber can then be confidently used without fear of adverse behavior subsequently in
service
 Types of Seasoning of Timber

Basically, there are two types or methods of

seasoning in Timber. These include;
 Natural Seasoning
 Artificial Seasoning
Types of Seasoning of Timber cont’d
 The Natural Seasoning.
Natural seasoning is the process by which timber is seasoned by subjecting it to the
natural elements such as air or water. The natural seasoning may be water seasoning
or air seasoning.
 Water seasoning
Water seasoning is the 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.
Types of Seasoning of Timber cont’d
 Air Season
In this process of air seasoning, timber logs are arranged in layers in a shed. The
arrangement is done by maintaining some gap with the ground. So platform is built on
ground at 300mm height from the ground. The logs are arranged in such a way that air
is circulated freely between logs. By the movement of air, the moisture content in
timber slowly reduces and seasoning occurs. Even though it is a slow process but will
produce a well seasoned timber.
Types of Seasoning of Timber cont’d
 The Artificial Seasoning.
Natural seasoning gives good results but take more time. So
artificial seasoning of timber is developed nowadays. By artificial
seasoning, timber is seasoned with in 4–5 days. There are different
types of artificial seasoning and they are as follow,
o Seasoning by Boiling or Steaming
o Chemical seasoning
o Kiln seasoning
o Electrical seasoning
Types of Seasoning of Timber cont’d

 Seasoning by Boiling or Steaming.

Seasoning of timber is also achieved by boiling it in water for 3 to 4
hours. After boiling timber is allowed to dry. For large quantity of
timber boiling is difficult so sometimes hot steam is passed through
timber logs in enclosed room. It also gives good results. The boiling
or steaming process develops the strength and elasticity of the timber
but it is economically expensive.
 Types of Seasoning of Timber cont’d
 Chemical Seasoning
In case of 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. This process affects
the strength of timber.
Types of Seasoning of Timber cont’d
 Kiln Seasoning
In this method, timber is subjected to hot air in an 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
but it will give good results strength wise.
Types of Seasoning of Timber cont’d
 Electrical seasoning
This method of seasoning, timber is subjected to high frequency alternating
currents. The resistance of timber against electricity is measured at every interval of
time. When the required resistance is reached, seasoning process is stopped because
resistance of timber increases by reducing moisture content in it. It is also called as
rapid seasoning and it is uneconomical.
Care Of Seasoned Timber.

Timber should be protected from moisture on the building site. Close piling and
covering with tarpaulins delays the absorption of atmospheric moisture, particularly
in the interior of the pile.
HOW CEMENT IS FORMED.
CEMENT MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Different minerals need to be mined in order to make cement. Limestone (containing the mineral
calcite), clay, and gypsum make up most of it. The US Geological Survey notes that cement raw
materials, especially limestone, are geologically widespread and (luckily) abundant.

• There are more than twenty types of cement used to make various specialty concrete, however
the most common is Portland cement.

• Cement manufacturing is a complex process that begins with mining and then grinding raw
materials that include limestone and clay, to a fine powder, called raw meal, which is then
heated to a sintering temperature as high as 1450 °C in a cement kiln.

• The clinker is ground to a fine powder in a cement mill and mixed with gypsum to create
cement. The powdered cement is then mixed with water and aggregates to form concrete that is
used in construction.
CEMENT MANUFACTURING PROCESS cont’d

• Clinker quality depends on raw material composition, which has to be closely monitored
to ensure the quality of the cement.

• Laboratory X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) systems are used by cement QC laboratories to

determine major and minor oxides in clinker, cement and raw materials such as limestone,
sand and bauxite.

• Combination X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) systems accomplish
both chemical phase analysis for a more complete characterization of the sample. Clinker
phase analysis ensures consistent clinker quality.
CEMENT MANUFACTURING PROCESS cont’d

• Cross Belt Analyzers based on Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA)
technology are installed directly on the conveyor belt to measure the entire material stream
continuously and in real time to troubleshoot issues in pre-blending stockpile control and
quarry management, raw mix proportioning control, and material sorting.

• Accurate cement production also depends on belt scale systems to monitor output and
inventory or regulate product loadout, as well as tramp metal detectors to protect equipment
and keep the operation running smoothly. The Cement Manufacturing Process flow chart
sums up where in the process each type of technology is making a difference.
Cement manufacturing flow chart.