Classification of Timber

Various bases are considered for the classification of timbers. The following are the
important basis:

(i) Mode of growth

(ii) Modulus of elasticity

(iii) Durability

(iv) Grading.

(v) Availability.

(i) Classification Based on Mode of Growth: On the basis of mode of growth trees
are classified as

 Exogenous and
 Endogenous
Exogenous Trees: These trees grow outward by adding distinct consecutive
ring every year. These rings are known as annual rings. Hence it is possible to
find the age of timber by counting these annual rings. These trees may be
further divided into
 Coniferous and
 Deciduous.
Coniferous trees are having cone shaped leaves and fruits. The leaves do
not fall till new ones are grown. They yield soft wood.
Deciduous trees are having broad leaves. These leaves fall in autumn
and new ones appear in springs. They yield strong wood and hence they
are commonly used in building construction.

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The classification as soft wood and hard wood has commercial importance
the difference between soft wood and hard wood is given below:

 In soft wood annual rings are seen distinctly whereas in hard wood they
are indistinct.
 The color of soft wood is light whereas the color of hard wood is dark.
 Soft woods have lesser strength in compression and shear compared to
hard woods.
 Soft woods are light and hard woods are heavy.
 Fire resistance of soft wood is poor compared to that of hard wood.
 The structure of soft wood is resinous while structure of hard wood is
close grained.

(ii) Classification Based on Modulus of Elasticity: Young’s modulus is

determined by conducting bending test. On this basis timber is classified as:

 Group A: E = 12.5 kN/mm2

 Group B: E = 9.8 kN/mm2 to 12.5 kN/mm2
 Group C: E = 5.6 kN/mm2 to 9.8 kN/mm2.

(iii) Classification Based on Durability: Durability tests are conducted by the

forest research establishment. They bury test specimen of size 600 × 50 × 50
mm in the ground to half their length and observe their conditions regularly
over several years. Then timbers are classified as:

 High durability: If average life is more than 10 years.

 Moderate durability: Average life between 5 to 10 years.
 Low durability: Average life less than 5 years.

(iv) Classification Based on Grading: IS 883-1970 classifies the structural timber

into three grades-select grade, grade I and grade II. The classification is based on
permissible stresses, defects etc.

(v) Classification Based on Availability: Forest departments classify timbers based

on the availability as

 X—most common. 1415 𝑚3 or more per year

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  Y—Common. 355 m3 to 1415 𝑚3 per year
 Z—less common. Less than 355 𝑚3 per year.

Types of Timber Structures

Timber frame

In the frame structure lightweight walls are constituted by frames of

elmenti in timber, with uprights and crosspieces, which may have a size
diverse. These frames are closed on both sides with panels of various type
(plasterboard, gypsum fiber board, chipboard, concrete wood, wood fiber,
of fibers oriented panels, plywood).

The space between the elements sides and isolation in large density
of the frame is filled with (mineral wool
insulation (rock wool, mineral wool
or glass wool, in recent times also
more and more often natural
materials such as cellulose, wool,
coconut fiber, hemp, cotton). The
structure of the floors is composed
of wooden joists of different
section, with paneling on both
Timber skelet structure

The supporting structure is composed

of beams and pillars, placed at

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determined distances. This allows a freer configuration of the facades and
walls of partition. The walls do not have any support function with regard to
the transfer of the vertical loads, which results in a greater freedom in the
design of the spaces. Above or between the major carriers are placed the
secondary load-bearing elements, such as the floors. The forces are
transmitted solely through the beams to the pillars, which are normally
independent of the solid elements, which delimit the spaces.

The elements of the supporting

structure are generally left exposed to
highlight the wood-frame structure. The
walls can be made of prefabricated
elements made of wood or glass (even a
combination of materials). There are
frequent cases of combination of wood
framed structure with glass curtain wa

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Solid timber construction

The structures in solid timber are divided into two categories: those with walls made of
solid wood beams, circular section (the typical "Log house") and those with walls of solid
wood panels nailed or glued (Xlam). The walls are usually insulated, and on the one
hand, and closed with a panel, but it is possible also an embodiment without finishes,
with visible structure. The exterior walls can be protected from the external finish of
wood or plaster or covered with a brick façade. The structure of the floor is generally
composed of solid wood panels (Xlam) or wooden beams and panels connected on
both sides.

Design of Timber Structures: Tension Members

Calculations
Design of 2x 10 floor joist with southern pine

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Design data:
Length of floor joist: L = 16 ft
Spacing of floor joist: s = 16 in.
Top of joist supported by plywood sheathing.
Design load:
Floor live load: WL = 40 psf
Floor dead load: WD = 10 psf
Superimposed dead load including mechanical and electric load, WSD = 8 psf
Timber: Southern pine, moisture less than 19%, used in normal room temperature.
Solution:
Calculate Design load: W = [WD + WSD+ WL]*s = 77.3 lb/ft
Design moment: M = W*L2/8 = 2475 lb-ft
Try 2x10 joist
Nominal dimension, B = 2 in, D = 10 in
Actual dimension, b = 1.5 in, d = 9.25 in
Section modulus: S = 21.39 in3, Modulus of inertia, I = 98.93 in4.
Bending stress: fb =M/S = 1388 psi
Try Southern pine No. 2, Fb = 1500 psi
Load duration factor for dead load: CD = 0.9
Load duration factors for live load: CD = 1.0 (Use 1 per NDS 2001)
The depth to width ratio based on nominal dimension, D/B = 5
Since compressive edge is fully supported by plywood floor, CL = 1
Repetition factor for joist: Cr = 1.15
Wet service factor: CM = 1
Temperature factor: Ct = 1
Other factors not applicable
Allowable stress, F’b = Fb*CD* CL* Cr* CM* Ct = 1725 psi O.K.
Check deflection:
Elastic modulus: E = 1600000 psi*CM* Ct = 1600000 psi
Deflection:  = 5*W*L4/(384*E*I) = 0.75 in < L/240 O.K.

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 Check shear stress
Maximum shear force. V = W*L/2 = 640 lb
Shear stress, fv = V/bd = 46 psi
Conservatively assume shear stress factor, CH = 1
Allowable shear stress, Fv = 90 psi * CD* CM* Ct *CH = 90 psi O.K.

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