INTRODUCTION

One of the ancient building materials Used in almost all parts of the world for centuries Loved by all as it is strong and stiff, yet by far the least dense material in the construction sector.

Hry-ji ( Temple Of The Flourishing Law) year 607

The Metropol Parasol in Seville, Spain 2011

Types of Timber
There are various types of timbers used in construction, namely:
Oak Larch Sitka spruce Norway spruce European fir Scots pine Cedar Western red cedar Ash Tropical timbers

Ash

Larch

Scots pine

European fir

Norway spruce Sitka spruce

Western red cedar

Softwood and Hardwood

Softwood Definition Conifer trees, needleshaped leaves that mostly grows in northern temperate zone. Mostly evergreen. Has a higher growth rate Has a lower density, thus softer than hardwood Less expensive Hardwood Broad-leafed trees, which loses their leaves in autumn as they are deciduous.

Growth rate Density Cost

Has a lower growth rate Has a higher density More expensive

Fire Resistance Uses

Better Wood ware (homes and cabins), furniture, finishes

Poor Flooring, furniture

Conversion of Timber
A process of cutting logs into sections before seasoning.

Type of Cuts
A. Plain sawn / Through and through o Mostly produces tangentially sawn timber and some quarter sawn. o Most economical o The centre of the tree (pith) is removed as it is soft and splits o Easily distort during seasoning

B. Quarter Sawn
Timber is cut with the growth rings meeting the surface not less than 45 degrees. More decorative and does not distort easily Produces more waste. More expensive.

Seasoning
A process where the wood is dried or moisture content is reduced to a level where it is suitable to be used.

Types of Seasoning
A. Air Seasoning o Timber, protected from the ground and rain are stack in layers separated by strips of wood (stickers) which control the passage of air. o The warm air, circulated by the wind removes the moisture. o Timber ends are protected by waterproof coatings to avoid splitting.

B. Kiln Drying
Heating timbers in a closed chamber with precise temperature and humidity Timber is not degraded Timber is normally air dried to a fiber saturation and then kiln dried. Saves fuel cost

Properties of Timber

Structural properties
Timber is an orthotropic material; grows in a vertical manner. Fibrous material

Cellular organic material made up mainly of cellulose. Strength of wood does not depend on the length of fibers but on the thickness of the cell walls. Woods finely porous structure make it a relatively suitable material for insulation

Physical properties
Dimensional changes in wood may be affected by temperature and moisture. Heating of wood results in an expansion due to high temperature but also a shrinkage due to the subsequent loss in moisture. Timber is a poor conductor of heat(denser timbers are better conductors) Corrosion resistant Natural product, so it has color variations High firmness with good elasticity High absorption capacity Naturally resistant to chemical action, making it a suitable building material in chemically adverse environments

 Resistant to passage of electric current Some species of wood are decay resistant and resist attack of insects such as termites. For example: Cedars, Redwood, Cypress, Black walnut and Black locust.
Cedar

Cypress

Black locust

Red wood

Acoustical properties Wood provides a good sound insulation when combined with other materials in construction. Sound absorption values for wood differ with moisture content, direction of the grain and density.

Advantages and disadvantage of timber

Advantages of Timber

A renewable resource

Electrical resistance
Suitable for construction in all climatic zones. Reduce waste and improve the efficiency of material usage.

Advantages of Timber
Good thermal insulation Good sound absorption Compatible with traditional skills.

Requires less energy

Advantages of Timber
Reducing environmental problems caused by excessive timber harvesting
Saves cost and wastage of sawing High strength

Last for a long span of life time Demolished timber structures can be recycled as building material, or burnt as fuelwood

DisAdvantages of Timber
High costs and diminishing supplies of timber Distortions, shrinkage and splitting.

Distortions

Shrinkage

Splitting

DisAdvantages of Timber
Extreme hardness of some dried timbers (cocowood). High toxicity of chemical preservatives.

Discoloration, embrittlement and erosion.

Discoloration

Erosion

DisAdvantages of Timber

Wood Decay

(Caused of Mold and Fungal Stains)

Mold

Fungi

DisAdvantages of Timber
Termites

Marine Borers

Treatments and Protections

Known as control in the case of wood that has already been infested, or as preventive protection, to ensure no infestation takes place. Methods of Protection
Only timber that has been well dried (moisture content less than 20%) should be used. Fire-retardant treatment (FRT) is done by placing lumber in a vessel and impregnating it under pressure with chemical salts to reduce its combustibility. Wood preservatives (pesticides, insecticides) are used , but used at a limit to avoid environmental damage.

 Waterborne salts (wood perservative) are most widely used. Most common is the chromated copper arsenate (CCA) These preservative are either brushed or sprayed onto wood. However, pressure impregnation last the longest as it drives the chemical deeply into the fibers.

Functions and Applications of Timber

cladding

decking

APPLICATION OF TIMBER

flooring

roofing

fencing

beam structure

Finishes of Timber
1. Wax
Type :

or
Characteristic : look like freshly cut unfinished wood, smooth feel, softer than lacquers and varnishes, Protection :melt at low temperature, little protection against scratches and wear, not penetrating the wood, prevent oxidation

2. Paint
Type :

Characteristic

Protection

: bright white appearance, not preservative, appear in most of the building : protect wood from weathering, conceal some surface defeat cleanable surface with many colour retard penetration of water

3. Solid color stain

Type :
/ Characteristic : long lasting, opaque surface, vibrant color : waterproof, UV protection

Protection

PRODUCTS
Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam) Small strips of wood are joined together with glue to form a larger element. Stable High Bearing Capacity It can used as a building structure or finishing element.

Laminated Veneer Lumber (Microlam)

It uses many layers of thin wood treated with adhesives. Economical Lower tendency to shrink or twist Suitable in columns, beams and purlins

Plywood
Manufactured by laminating a series of thin timber layer Grains direction are at right angles to each other Used as a lining, flooring surface, complex roof structures, formwork

Wood Particleboard (Chipboard) Uses wood waste or forest thinnings, which are converted into wood chips. Made by compressing the sawdust and plane shavings with adhesives. Used in furniture industry

Cement-bonded particleboard
Manufactured from a mixture of wood particles and cement. Contains 75% of cement to fill up voids Good sound-insulation Resistant to fire, water and fungal Used as soffits, roofing, and flooring

Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

Made from long strands of wood compressed and glued into three to five layers. Strands are oriented in the same method as plywood. Used for sheathing and subflooring of light frame wood buildings.

 Fine-grained board made of wood fibers and synthetic resin binders.

Medium Density Fiberboard
o Manufactured by dry wood fibers in addition of adhesives o Used as furniture panels and as internal load bearing applications.

Fiberboard

Hardboard (HDF)
Densest fiberboard Density of 900kg/3 Used as paneling, wall and ceilings linings, floor underlays and furniture.

Comparison of Timber Products

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and Plywood
LVL Orientation of Grains (Veneer Layers) Grains are parallel to each other Plywood Grains are in a direction that are perpendicular to each other to have uniform strength and reduce moisture movement

Plywood and Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

Plywood
Composition of Material

OSB

Thin layers of veneers Dried wood strands that are glued and mixed with adhesives laminated. an wax to form thick mats.

Cost Economical

More expensive Uses good logs called peelers

Less expensive Uses small trees and branches

Particleboard and Fiberboard

Particleboard Materials used Durability Wood dust Weaker Fiberboard Wood fibers Stronger

Ability to mold

Hard to mold as it is easily chipped

Easy to mold into shapes as it is hard to chip or break

Conclusion
Timber is a natural product that is renewable and has been used. With sufficient understanding and skilled use of the material, excellent results can be achieved.

References
1. Book References
Allen, E. and Iano, J. 2009. Fundamentals of Building Construction : Materials and Methods. 5th ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

American Institute of Timber Construction, 2005. Timber Construction Manual 5th ed., John Wiley & Sons, INC.

Lyons, A., 2007. Materials for Architects & Builders. 4th ed. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd.

Slavid, R., 2009. Wood Architecture, Laurance King Publishing Ltd.

Spence, WP., and Kultermann, E., 2011. Construction Materials, Methods, and Techniques: Building for A Sustainable Future 3rd ed. Cengage Learning.

Steiger, L., 2007. Basics Timber Construction, Birkhauser.

Stulz, R. and Mukerji, K., 1993. Appropriate Building Materials. Oxford: Intermediate Technology Publications.

Torre, F., 2008. Materials: A Sourcebook for Walls and Floors, Steward, Tabori & Chang.