TIMBER
Building Construction by – Neleesh & Rohit
Timber - Definition
• Derived from an old English word timbrian
which means to build.
• Timber denotes wood which is suitable for
building or carpentry or various other
engineering purposes
• It is applied to the trees measuring not less
than 600 mm in circumference of the trunk
Some Facts
• 20% of earth’s land mass is covered by forests
• Roughly 2/3rd as hardwoods in temperate and
tropical climate
• 1/3rd as softwoods within temperate and
colder regions
• Approx. a third of the annual worldwide
timber harvest is used in construction
Three terms are to be noted with
respect to timber
1. Converted Timber: timber which
is sawn and cut into suitable
commercial sizes
2. Rough Timber: timber which is
obtained after felling a tree
3. Standing Timber: timber
contained in a living tree
“Renewable resource”
Classification of Tree
TREE
Exogenous Endogenous
Conifers Deciduous
Softwood Hardwood
Endogenous
Exogenous Trees Trees
• Trees that grows • Trees that grows
outwards and distinct inward and fibrous
rings are formed in the mass is seen in their
horizontal section of
longitudinal sections
the tree
• The rings are known as • Limited application
annual rings as one • Ex. Bamboo, Cane,
such ring is added Palm, etc
every year (also helps
in predicting the age of
the tree)
Exogenous trees – two groups
botanically
Conifer (gymnosperms):
• Evergreen tree yielding softwood (light coloured, resinous,
light in weight and weak)
• Tree bears cone-shaped fruits
• Trees with pointed leaves
• Distinct annual rings
• Ex. Pine, Chirr etc
Deciduous (angiosperms):
• Trees with broad leaves yielding hardwood (close-grained,
strong, heavy, dark coloured, durable and non-resinous)
• Shed their leaves in winter
• Ex. Sal, teak, Sheesham etc
Components
• Pith / medulla: innermost central portion
• Heart wood: annual rings surrounding the
pith, dark in colour, does not take active part
in the growth of the tree, imparts rigidity and
hence provides strong and durable timber
• Sap wood: outer annual rings between heart
wood and cambium layer, light in colour and
weight, recent growth and contains sap,
active part in growth of tree
• Cambium layer: thin layer of sap between
sap wood and inner bark, indicates sap
which has not been converted into sap wood
• Inner bark / bast
• Outer bark
• Medullary rays: thin radial fibres extending
from pith to cambium layer, holds annual
rings together
Defects in timber
1. Defects due to conversion
2. Defects due to fungi
3. Defects due to insects (Beetles, termites)
4. Defects due to natural forces (knots &
Shakes)
5. Defects due to seasoning (Bow, Cup, Twist,
warp)
Defects due to natural forces
• Knots: bases of branches which are broken or cut off,
the portion from which the branch is removed receives
nourishment from the stem for a pretty long time and
its ultimately results in formation of dark hard rings
known as knots. As continuity of wood fibres is broken
by knots, hence they are source of weakness
Defects due to natural forces -Shakes
• These are cracks which partly or completely
separates the fibres of wood
Single Heart shake Double Heart shake
Cup and Ring Shakes Star Shakes
?
Defects due to seasoning (Bow, Cup,
twist, spring)
Characteristics of a good timber:
• Appearance: freshly cut surface should exhibit hard and shining
appearance
• Colour: Preferably be dark, light colour indicates timber of low
strength
• Durability: resist actions from fungi insects
• Fibres: should have straight fibres
• Hardness: density of the wood imparts hardness
• Shape: should be capable of retaining its shape
• Smell: should smell sweet, unpleasant smell indicates decay
• Sound: should give out a clear ringing sound when stuck
• Weathering effect: should be able to stand reasonably weathering
effect
• Weight: heavy weight timber is considered sound and strong
• Working condition: easily workable
Seasoning
• When tree is felled, it contains abt 50 % or more
of its own dry weight as water. This water is in the
form of sap and moisture.
• The water is to be removed before it is to be used
for construction, this process of drying of timber
is called seasoning
• The moisture to be extracted under controlled
conditions as nearly as possible at a uniform rate
• Methods: 1) Natural 2) Artificial
Natural Seasoning
• Slow process may take about 2 to 4 years (depends
on the moisture content and the type of timber)
• Moisture can be brought down to 10-20%
Artificial methods
1. Boiling: boiled / steam in water for 3-4 hrs and then dried very slowly
under shed, period of seasoning and shrinkage is reduced, but affects
the elasticity and strength
2. Chemical: salt seasoning, immersed in salt solution, taken and seasoned
in the ordinary way. Interior surface dries in advance & chances of
external crack reduced
3. Electrification: high frequency alternating currents, when green, offers
less resistance to flow of electric current. The resistance increases as the
wood dries internally, most rapid method of seasoning, high cost hence
uneconomical
4. Kiln seasoning: airtight chamber or oven, fully saturated (moisture) air
heated to temp of 35-38 degrees is circulated around the timber
5. Water seasoning: cut timber is immersed wholly in water or running
stream for a period of 2 – 4 weeks, sap is washed way, then dried under
a shade.
Sawing / conversion of timber
Reference book:
• Lyons, A. (2007). Materials For Architects And
Builders. Oxford: Elsevier.
• Rangwala, S. (2009). Engineering Material.
Anand, Gujarat: Charotar Publishing House
Pvt. Ltd.
