TIMBER DESIGN
STRUCTURAL WOOD
Timber
- Has always been one of the more plentiful natural resources available
and consequently is one of the oldest known materials for
construction.
- Beams, columns, trusses, girders, piles, deck members, railway
foundations, temporary forms in concrete
- Possesses excellent insulating properties, good fire resistance, light
weight and aesthetic appeal.
- A great deal of research carried out since the early century has
provided us with comprehensive information on structural properties
of timber and timber products.
THE STRUCTURES OF TIMBER
 ROOTS. By spreading through the soil as well as acting as a
foundation, enable the growing tree to withstand wind forces. They
absorb moisture containing minerals from the soil and transfer it via
the trunk to the crown.
 TRUNK. Provides rigidity, mechanical strength and height to
maintain the crown, also transports moisture and minerals up to the
crown and sap down from the crown.
 CROWN. Provides as large possible a catchment area covered by
leaves. These produce chemical reactions that form sugar and
cellulose which cause the growth of the trees.
Parts:
 Annular rings
 Rays
 Sapwood
 Heartwood
 Pitch
 Outer bark
 Inner bark
DEFECTS IN TIMBER
 NATURAL DEFECTS– occur during the growing period.
 Cracks and Fissures. They may occur in various parts of
the tree and may even indicate the presence of decay or
the beginnings of decay.
 Knots. These are common features of the structure of
wood. A knot is a portion of a branch embedded by the
natural growth of the tree, normally originating at the
center of the trunk or a branch.
 Grain Defects. Wood grain refers to the general direction
of the arrangement of the fiber in wood. Drain defects
can occur in the form of twisted-grain, cross grain, flat
grain and spiral grain, all which can induce subsequent
problems of distortion in use.
 Fungal Decay. This may occur in growing mature timber
or even in recent converted timber, and in general it is
good practice to reject such timber.
 Annual Ring Width. This can be critical in respect of
strength in that excess width of such rings can reduce the
density of the timber.
 CHEMICAL DEFECTS - this may occur in particular instances when
timber is used in unsuitable position or in association with other
materials. Timbers such as oak and western red cedar contain tannic
acid and other chemicals which corrode metals. Gums and resins can
inhibit the working properties of timber and interfere with the ability
to take adhesives.
 CONVERSION DEFECTS - these are due basically to unsound practice
in the use of milling techniques or to undue economy in attempting
to use every possible place of timber converted from the trunk. A
wane is a good example of a conversion defect.
 SEASONING DEFECTS - are directly related to the movement that
occurs in timber due to changes in moisture content. Excessive or
uneven drying exposure to wind and rain, and poor stacking and
spacing during seasoning can all produce defects or distortions in
timber.
TYPES OF TIMBER
 SOFTWOODS – Softwoods are generally evergreen with needle-like
leaves comprising single cells called tracheids, which are like straws in
plan, and they fulfill the functions of conduction and support.
- Rays, present in softwoods, run in a radial direction perpendicular
to the growth rings. Their function is to store food and allowthe
convection of liquids to where they are needed.
- Characteristics: Quick growth rate trees can be felled after 30
years, resulting in low density timber with relatively low strength.
- Generally poor durability qualities, unless treated with
preservatives.
- Due to speed of felling, they are readily available and
comparatively cheap.
 HARDWOODS – are generally broad-leaved (deciduous) trees that
lose their leaves at the end of each growing season.
- The cell structure of hardwood is more complex than that of
softwoods, with thick walled cells called fibres, providing the
structural support and thin walled cells, called vessels providing
the medium for food conduction.
- Due to the necessity to grow new leaves every year the demand
for sap is high and in some instances larger vessels may be formed
in the spring wood period the pores tend to be more evenly
distributed, resulting in diffuse porous woods.
- Characteristics: Grow at a slower rate than softwoods. This
generally results in a timber of high density and strength which
takes time to mature over 100 years in some instances.
- There is less dependency on preservatives for durability
qualities.
- Due to time taken to mature and the transportation costs of
hardwoods, as most are tropical they tend to be expensive in
comparison to softwoods.
Softwood
- They are mainly grows in a cooler climate like Canada.
- These cone bearing trees are called conifers.
- They have a looser grain structure.
- They are often used as building material.
- These are usually softer and easy to work
- The trees grow tall and straight which makes it easier for the
manufacturer to cut along straight planks of wood.
- Evergreen trees which means they do not lose their leaves.
- These grow quite faster and so are cheaper.
Hardwood
- These are usually quite hard.
- You can have evergreen hardwood trees which do not lose their
leaves and deciduous trees which loses their leaves in winter.
- Tend to have a tighter grain.
- They can be very expensive.
- Most evergreens are found in tropical or sub-tropical countries such
as South America.
- They are usually quite hard.
- They are broad leave trees and the seed are enclosed in the fruit
that the tree produces.
- They are generally grow in temperate climates including the British
Isles.
- They are slower growing trees it can take 100 years to grow fully.
SEASONING OF WOOD
- Process of removing moisture from green wood.
- Exposing lumber to air for an extended period or by heating it in kilns.
- Seasoned woods are stiffer, stronger and more durable than green
wood.
NOMINAL AND DRESSES SIZES
- Individual piece is designated by its nominal cross sectional dimensions:
- 6”x12” (written as 6x12)
- Width of 6 in. and depth of 12 in.; length is variable.
- Dressed or “Surfaced on four sides” (S4S)
1 1
- Actual dimensions of this piece are 5 in. x 11 in.
2 2