TIMBER

TIMBER
Timber refers to wood used for construction works. The word timber is derived from an old English word Timbrian which means to build. A tree that yields good wood for construction is called Standing Timber.

TIMBER
After felling a tree, its branches are cut and its stem is roughly converted into pieces of suitable length, so that it can be transported to timber yard. This form of timber is known as Rough Timber.

By sawing, rough timber is converted into various

commercial sizes like planks, battens, posts, beams etc. Such form of timber is known as Converted Timber.

Seasoning of Timber
This is a process by which moisture content in a freshly cut tree is reduced to a suitable level. By seasoning, durability of timber is increased. Methods of seasoning:

Natural seasoning
Artificial seasoning.

Natural Seasoning
It may be air or water seasoning. Air seasoning is carried out in a shed with a platform Timber balks are stacked on 300 mm high platform. Care is taken to see that there is proper air circulation around each timber balk. Over a period, in a natural process moisture content reduces. A well seasoned timber contains only 15% moisture.

Natural Seasoning
Water seasoning is carried out on the banks of rivers.

Thicker end of timber is kept pointing upstream side.

After a period of 2 to 4 weeks, timber is taken out. During this period, sap contained in the timber is washed out to a great extent. Then timber is stalked in a shed with free air circulation.

Natural Seasoning

Artificial Seasoning
Timber is seasoned in a chamber with regulated heat, controlled humidity and proper air circulation. Seasoning can be completed in 4 to 5 days only. Different methods of seasoning are:
Boiling Kiln seasoning

Chemical seasoning
Electrical seasoning

Artificial Seasoning Boiling

In this method timber is immersed in water and then water is boiled for 3 to 4 hours. Then it is dried slowly.

Instead of boiling water hot steam may be

circulated on timber.

The process of seasoning is fast, but costly.

Artificial Seasoning Kiln Seasoning

Kiln is an airtight chamber. Timber to be seasoned is placed inside it. Then fully saturated air with a temperature 35C to 38C is forced in the kiln. The heat gradually reaches inside timber. Then relative humidity is gradually reduced and temperature is increased, and maintained till desired degree of moisture content is achieved.

Artificial Seasoning Kiln Seasoning

Kiln used may be stationary or progressive. In progressive kiln, carriages carrying timber travel from one end of kiln to other end gradually.

The hot air is supplied from the discharging end so that temperature increase is gradual from charging end to discharging end. This method is used for seasoning on a larger scale.

Artificial Seasoning Chemical Seasoning

In this method, timber is immersed in a solution of suitable salt. Then the timber is dried in a kiln.

The preliminary treatment by chemical seasoning ensures uniform seasoning of outer and inner parts of timber.

Artificial Seasoning
Electrical Seasoning
In this method, high frequency AC is passed through

timber.
Resistance to electric current is low when moisture content in timber is high.

As moisture content reduces, the resistance reduces.

Measure of resistance can be used to stop seasoning at appropriate level. However it is costly process. This technique has been tried in some plywood industries but not in seasoning of timber on mass scale.

Defects in Timber

Defects in Timber Various defects which are likely to occur in

timber may be grouped into following 3:

Due to natural forces Due to defective seasoning and conversions. Due to attack by fungi and insects.

Defects due to Natural Forces

Knots Shakes Wind cracks Upsets Twisted Grain or Fiber Presence of Sapwood Sloping grains

Defects due to Natural Forces Knots

When a tree grows, many of its branches fall and the stump of these branches in the trunk is covered. In the sawn pieces of timber the stumps of fallen branches appear as knots.

Knots are dark and hard pieces.

Grains are distorted in this portion. If the knot is intact with surrounding wood, it is called live knot. If it is not held firmly it is dead knot.

Defects due to Natural Forces

Defects due to Natural Forces

Shakes
These are cracks in the timber which appear due to excessive heat, frost or twisting due to wind during the growth of a tree.

Depending upon the shape and the positions

shakes can be classified as star shake, cup shake, ring shakes and heart shakes.

Defects due to Natural Forces

Wind Cracks: These are the cracks on the outside of a log due to the shrinkage of the exterior surface. Upsets: is due to excessive compression in the tree when it was young. It is an injury by crushing. This is also known as rupture.

Twisted Grain or Fiber: is caused in the tree itself due to action of wind.

Defects due to Natural Forces

Presence of Sapwood: Sapwood is less durable than heartwood & it should not be present in wood which is to be sued for important places. Sapwood can be identified by the colour which will be much lighter than that of heartwood. It also does not take as good polish as heartwood. Sloping Grains: In living trees, cells do not always grow perfectly vertical or straight & parallel to the length of the

trunk. They taper from bottom to top thus causing sloping of

the grain in timber.

Defects due to Defective Seasoning & Conversion

If seasoning is not uniform, the converted timber may warp and twist in various directions. Sometimes honey combining & cracks appear. These types of defects are more susceptible in case of kiln seasoning. In the process of converting timber to commercial sizes and shapes the following types of defects are likely to arise: chip marks, torn grain etc.

Defects due to Fungi & Insects Attack

Fungi are minute microscopic plant organism. They grow in wood if moisture content is > 20C and exposed to air. Due to fungi attack rotting of wood, takes place. Wood becomes weak and stains appear on it. Beetles, marine borers & termites (white ants) are the insects which eat wood & weaken the timber. Some woods like teak have chemicals in their compositions and resist such attacks. Other woods are to be protected by chemical treatment.

Preservation of Timber

Preservation of Timber
Preservation of timber means protecting timber from fungi and insects attack so that its life is increased. Timber is to be seasoned well before application of preservatives. The following are the widely used preservatives:
Tar Paints Chemical salt Creosote ASCO Charring

Preservation of Timber
Tar
Hot coal tar is applied to timber with brush. The coating of tar protects the timber from the attack of fungi and insects.

It is a cheapest way of protecting timber.

DISADVANTAGE: appearance is not good after tar is applied it is not possible to apply other attractive paints. Hence tarring is made only for the unimportant structures like fence poles.

Preservation of Timber
Paints
2-3 coats of oil paints are applied on clean surface of wood. It protects the timber from moisture.

It is to be applied from time to time.

It improves the appearance of the timber.

Solignum paint is a special paint which protects

the timber from the attack of termites.

Preservation of Timber
Chemical salt
These are the preservatives made by dissolving salts in water. The salts used are copper sulphate, masonry

chloride, zinc chloride and sodium fluoride.

After treating the timber with these chemical salt

paints and varnishes can be applied to get good

appearance.

Preservation of Timber
Creosote
Creosote oil is obtained by distillation of coal tar. The seasoned timber is kept in an air tight chamber and air is exhausted. Then creosote oil is pumped into the chamber at a pressure of 0.8 to 1.0 N/mm2 at a temperature of 50C. After 1 to 2 hours timber is taken out of the chamber.

Preservation of Timber

ASCO
This preservative is developed by Forest Research Institute, Dehradun It consists of 1 part by weight of hydrated arsenic pentoxide (As2O5.2H2O), 3 parts by weight of copper sulphate (CuSO45H2O) and 4 parts by weight of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) or sodium dichromate (Na2Cr2O2.2H2O). This preservative is available in powder form. By mixing six parts of this powder with 100 parts of water, the solution is prepared. The solution is then sprayed over the surface of timber. This treatment prevents attack from termites. The surface may be painted to get desired appearance.

Preservation of Timber
Charring
In this method the surface is burnt & the burnt part acts as a protective coat.

Veneers & Veneer Plywood (IS 303-1989)

Plywood
It is a type of manufactured timber made from thin sheets of oak trees. It is one of the most widely used wood products. It is flexible, inexpensive, workable, reusable, & can usually be locally manufactured. Plywood is used instead of plain wood because of its resistance to cracking, shrinkage, and twisting/warping, and its general high degree of strength.

Plywood
Plywood layers (called veneers) are glued together with adjacent plies having their grain at right angles to each other for greater strength. There are usually an odd number of plies so that the sheet is balancedthis reduces warping. Because of the way plywood is bonded (with grains running against one another and with an odd number of composite parts) it is very hard to bend it perpendicular to the grain direction.

Plywood
Veneer plywood is commonly referred as plywood. For making plywood, round logs are first cut into logs of 1.5m to 2.5m lengths. They are then steamed & veneers are cut from these pieces with a wide sharp knife extending the full length of the log. These veneers are glued together to form plywood. Generally, 3 or more veneers are glued together with the grains crossing each other. The cross-graining increases the strength of plywood.

Classifications of Plywood
Ordinary Grade: Plywood of ordinary grade is ordinary plywood used for packing tea-chests, etc.

Exterior grade: Exterior grade plywood is made of durable

wood bonded fully with waterproof glue. In marine grade plywood, core ply & exterior veneers are of good quality &

close-fitting wood.
Marine plywood: is specially treated to resist rotting in a high-moisture environment. Its construction is such that it can be used in environments where it is exposed to moisture for long periods.

Plywood
Plywood is used in many applications that need high-quality, high-strength sheet material. Quality in this context means resistance to cracking, breaking, and shrinkage, twisting and warping.

Exterior glued plywood is suitable for outdoor use,

but because moisture affects the strength of wood, optimal performance is achieved in end uses where the wood's moisture content remains relatively low.

Fibreboards (IS 12406-1988)

Fiberboard is known as low density fiberboard is a type of engineered wood product that is made out of wood fibers. Types of fiberboard (in order of increasing density) include Particle Board, Medium-Density Fiberboard, & Hardboard. Fiberboard is sometimes used as a synonym for particle board, but particle board usually refers to low-density fiberboard.

Fibreboards (IS 12406-1988)

Plywood is not a type of fiberboard, as it is made of thin sheets of wood, not wood fibers or particles. Fiberboard, particularly medium-density fiberboard (MDF), is heavily used in the furniture industry. Fiberboard is also used in the auto industry to create freeform shapes such as dashboards, rear parcel shelves, and inner door shells.

These pieces are usually covered with a skin, foil, or fabric

such as cloth, suede, leather, or polyvinyl chloride.

Fibreboards (IS 12406-1988)

Fiberboard has many benefits and is used in residential and commercial construction. Different uses and applications include:
sound proofing/deadening, structural sheathing, low-slope roofing,

sound deadening flooring underlayment