BUILDING SYSTEMS

Ground
• A drawing where there is no line of soil or
roots may indicate a lack of emotional
and personal stability in the patient.
• Disproportionate and lightning-shaped
roots can also indicate problems,
emotional containment, rage and
uprooting.
Trunk
• A very thin trunk: very sensitive and delicate. Or, it can mean the presence of
external tensions or demands that alter the calm and well-being of the patient.
• A very wide trunk: impulsive, with high emotionality and little capacity for self-
control.
• A trunk with normal proportions means internal balance.
• Trunk formed by straight lines: a righteous person, with good capacity for
abstraction.
• Trunk with wavy lines: sociable, sweet and has no problems with sociability.
• Trunks with dilatations, hollows, studs, protruding tips: presence of fears, traumas,
contained emotions, inhibition
WOOD
 • In botany, a tree is a perennial
plant with an elongated stem,
or trunk, supporting branches
and leaves in most species.
• In some usages, the definition
of a tree may be narrower,
including only woody plants
with secondary growth, plants
that are usable as lumber or
plants above a specified height.

TREE
 • Trees have been in
existence for 370 million
years. It is estimated that
there are just over 3 trillion
mature trees in the world.

TREE
 The Senator
Age: estimated to be
3,500 years
Species: Pond cypress
(Taxodium ascendens)
Location: Longwood,
Florida
Still Alive: No

TREE
 Pando
Age: estimated to be
80,000 years
Species:Quaking
Aspen (Populus
tremuloides)
Location: Fishlake
National Forest, Utah,
USA
Still Alive: Yes

TREE
TREE
 Which Part of a Tree is
mainly used for construction?

TREE
TREE
 The main purpose of the trunk
is to raise the leaves above the
ground, enabling the tree to
overtop other plants and out
compete them for light. It also
transports water and nutrients
from the roots to the aerial
parts of the tree, and
distributes the food produced
by the leaves to all other parts,
including the roots.

TREE
STRUCTURE OF A TREE
The structure of tree can be divided in to two categories
as follows
• MACROSTRUCTURE
• MICROSTRUCTURE

TREE
Macrostructure
The structure of a tree which is visible to the naked eye is
called macro structure of tree. Macrostructure of tree
contains following components:
• Pith
• Heart wood
• Sap wood
• Cambium Layer
• Inner bark
• Outer bark
• Medullary rays

TREE
TREE
Pith
The core part or innermost part of the tree is called as
pith. It contains cellulose tissues which are helpful for the
growth of plant during its young age.
Heart wood
Heart wood is the portion around the pith which is dark in
color and contain some annual rings in it. It is very hard
and provides rigidity to the tree. Heart wood is used for
several engineering purposes because of its strength and
durability.
Sap wood
Sap wood contain outer annual rings. This indicates the
recent growth of tree and is light in color. It contains sap
which helps in the growth of tress.
TREE
Cambium Layer
Cambium layer contains sap which will turn into sap wood
after some time. It should not exposed to atmosphere
otherwise the tree may dead.
Inner bark
The protecting layer of cambium layer is known as inner
bark.
Outer bark
The outermost layer of the tree section is called outer
bark or cortex. It contains cells of wood fiber.
Medullary rays
The rays extending from pith to cambium layer are known
as medullary rays. These rays hold the annual rings of
sap wood and heart wood together.
TREE
MICROSTRUCTURE
Micro structure of a tree can only be visible with great
magnifications. It contains cells of different shapes and
sizes. These cells are responsible for many actions like
nutrients transport to branches from stem, strength of tree
etc.

TREE
TIMBER VS WOOD
• The term ‘wood’ is used to refer to the substance that
makes up the tree. It is the hard, fibrous structural tissue
that is commonly found in the stems and roots of trees.
• The term ‘timber’ is used to refer to the wood at any
stage after the tree has felled. This can include the raw
material, also known as rough timber or the processed
material.
• Lumber is wood in any stage from the time it is cut from a
tree through its use in construction or paper. Lumber is cut
from a tree through a process called felling. After it is cut
and shipped, it is supplied either "rough" or "finished".

WOOD VS TIMBER VS LUMBER

Properties of Timber
The quality of timber must be
ensured before using it for a Grain
purpose. The quality can be Shrinkage and Swelling
ensured by investigating the Strength
properties of timber. Here we Density
have discussed both physical and Toughness
mechanical properties of timber Elasticity
which affects timber quality. Warping
Followings are the physical and Durability
mechanical properties of timber: Defect less
Colour Workability
Hardness Soundness
Specific Gravity Free of abrasion
Moisture Content

WOOD VS TIMBER VS LUMBER

 Colour
Color is a uniform property by
which most trees are
characterized as they show
variation from tree to tree. Light
color indicates weak timber.

WOOD VS TIMBER VS LUMBER

 Hardness
For the resistance of any kind of
damage, hardness is an obvious
property.

WOOD VS TIMBER VS LUMBER

 Specific Gravity
Variation of timber in specific
gravity (0.3-0.9) is found. It
depends on pores present
inside timber. The specific
gravity of this light material is
less than that of water (<1). But
in case of compact wood where
pores are almost absent and
become heavier, their specific
gravity increases up to 1.5

WOOD VS TIMBER VS LUMBER

 Moisture Content
Timbers are hygroscopic and
gain water from nature
(atmosphere). The absorption of
water or dehydration depends
on atmospheric humidity. If
timbers moisture content is high
that means the timber quality is
low. Water content is the risk of
fungal attack.

WOOD VS TIMBER VS LUMBER

 Grain
Several types of grain
arrangement found. On the
grain structure quality of timber
varies. Grains remain closely
related.

WOOD VS TIMBER VS LUMBER

WOOD GRAIN
 Shrinkage and Swelling
The percentage of shrinkage
and swelling varies from plant
to plant. Some give higher
percentage after drying.
Shrinkage starts when cell walls
of timber start to release water.
In moisture atmosphere timber
swells when cell walls absorb
water. Good quality timbers
swell less. Timbers having
thicker wall swell more than a
thinner one.

WOOD VS TIMBER VS LUMBER

 Strength
Best quality timbers have the highest strength.
Strength means capable to bear loads.
Anisotropic material like timber has different
structure at the different portion. So, the
strength of timber is different at different
points. Grain structure determines the strength
of the timber. Some types of strength are
Compressive strength: 500 kg/cm2 to 700
kg/cm2 load is enough to test timbers
strength.
Tensile strength: If perpendicular force is
made then timber is weaker. 500-2000
kg/cm2 is the range of tensile strength load.
Transverse strength: Enough bending strength
indicates good quality timber.

WOOD VS TIMBER VS LUMBER

Density
Timbers having higher density have a thicker
wall. Moisture content: Presence of defects:
There may be some of the natural and
artificial defects in timber such as cross-
grain, knots, and shakes, etc. All of them
cause a decrease in the strength of the
timber.
Toughness
Timber has to have the capability to bear
shocks, jerk. Anti-bending and ant splitting
characteristic is needed. Old timbers have
annual rings which indicate their age is a
good indicator.

WOOD VS TIMBER VS LUMBER

Elasticity
Another property elasticity means timber should attain its own shape after
use. Because of this quality, it is used in sports bat.
Warping
Environmental change with season can’t effect good quality timber.
Durability
A good quality timber has the property to resist the attack the infection of
fungus or other insects. This resistance quality makes timber better.

WOOD VS TIMBER VS LUMBER

 Defect less
This property is gained if the timber is from
a sound tree. A defect less tree is free from
sap, shakes, and dead knots.
Workability
A good timber is always easy to work on it.
Easy to drag using saw on good timber. The
finishing can be done well.
Soundness
A good quality timber gives good sound.
Texture
The texture of good timber is fine and even.
Free of Abrasion
Timber should not be damaged by the
external environment. It has to gain the
ability to protect its skin.

WOOD VS TIMBER VS LUMBER

 LUMBER
MANUFACTURING
PROCESS
1. Inspection
2. Debarking
3. Log Bucking
4. Cutting and Edging
5. Planing and Grading

LUMBER MANUFACTURING PROCESS

1. INSPECTION
Once the logs are cut from the
standing tree,
they must be cleaned and all
other limbs removed,
including limb stubs. During this
process the logs
are inspected for faults, such as
knots, unwanted piece of metal
embedded in the wood, or
fungus.

LUMBER MANUFACTURING PROCESS

2. DEBARKING
Debarking may be done
with high-powered jets that
remove the bark from felled
trunks, or it may be
accomplished by a
mechanical ring debarker
that uses a series of cutting
blades rotated along the
surface of the log. The bark
is sometimes used for
decorative mulch, but in most
cases it's discarded.

LUMBER MANUFACTURING PROCESS

3. BUCKING LOGS
After a log is debarked, it is
cut down into sizes
appropriate for the finished
product, based on the
original size of the log.
Larger pieces will go for
plywood, where smaller, less
healthy pieces will go for
pulp. Buck saws handle the
cutting of the large, unwieldy
logs. Preparation is handled
while the wood's still wet,
and water may be sprayed
over the logs many times to
keep it from drying out.
LUMBER MANUFACTURING PROCESS
4. CUTTING AND EDGING
The lengths of wood are
measured and scanned for
defects by optical sensors.
Then, a computer maps out a
series of cuts that would
provide the most solid
boards. The computer
operator uses his judgment
and experience to make a
final decision on how the
wood will be cut.

LUMBER MANUFACTURING PROCESS

[Link] AND GRADING
Boards are not ready to be
used until they are seasoned,
planed and graded.
Seasoning prevents rotting as
the boards age. The wood
will either be placed in a
holding area over time or
heated in a kiln, which
draws more moisture

LUMBER MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Types of Trees for Timber
Production
The trees are classified into following types
based on their mode of growth.
[Link]
[Link]

HARDWOOD OR SOFT WOOD

Exogenous
• Exogenous trees are outward growing trees.
Horizontal section of such tree contains several rings
which are nothing but annual rings. These rings can
be used to predict the age of tree. Most of the
exogenous trees are useful for many engineering
purposes.
• Exogenous trees are sub classified into following
types.
• Conifers
• Deciduous

HARDWOOD OR SOFT WOOD

Conifers
Conifers are nothing but soft wood producing trees
which are also called as ever green trees. The timber
of these trees is light colored, light in weight, low dense
and poor against fire.

Examples: Pine, Fir, redwood, spruce, deodar, cedar

etc

HARDWOOD OR SOFT WOOD

HARDWOOD OR SOFT WOOD
Deciduous
Deciduous trees are hard wood producing trees. The
leaves of this type of trees are generally broad in size
and they fall in autumn and grow in spring. Deciduous
trees are most suitable for constructional purposes.
Timber of deciduous trees is dark colored, dense,
heaviest and good against fire.

Examples: Maple, Mahogany, Oak, teak, walnut,

babul etc.

HARDWOOD OR SOFT WOOD

HARDWOOD OR SOFT WOOD
Endogenous
Endogenous trees are inward growing
trees which contains fibrous mass in their
longitudinal section. The timber from these
trees is useful in some limited engineering
purposes.
Examples: bamboo, palm, cane

HARDWOOD OR SOFT WOOD

HARDWOOD OR SOFT WOOD
HARDWOOD OR SOFTWOOD?
Contrary to popular belief, whether a wood is classified as
hardwood or softwood has nothing to do with the wood's
density.
In fact, some of the least-dense woods (such as Poplar and
Bassalt) are classified as hardwoods.

Further differentiation is seen in the reproductive structure of the

two. All trees produce seeds. The composition of the seeds,
however, is different.

HARDWOOD OR SOFT WOOD

 HARDWOOD
Harwood trees are
angiosperms - plants that
produce seeds with a hard
covering or shell. (apple tree,
oak tree).

HARDWOOD OR SOFT WOOD

 SOFTWOODS
Softwoods are gymnosperms -
allow seeds to fall to the ground
"as is", or with no covering.
(conifer trees).

HARDWOOD OR SOFT WOOD

HARDWOOD OR SOFT WOOD
SAWMILL OR LUMBER MILL is a facility where logs are
cut into lumber.
Modern saw mills use a motorized saw to cut logs
lengthwise to make long pieces, and crosswise to length
depending on standard or custom sizes

CUTTING LUMBER
The "portable" saw mill is iconic and of simple operation.
The logs lay flat on a steel bed and the motorized saw
cuts the log horizontally along the length of the bed, by
the operator manually pushing the saw. The most basic
kind of saw mill consists of a chainsaw and a customized
jig with similar horizontal operation.

CUTTING LUMBER
Before the invention of the sawmill, boards were made in
various manual ways, either rived (split) and planed,
hewn,

CUTTING LUMBER
or more often hand sawn by two men with a whipsaw,
one above and another in a saw pit below.

CUTTING LUMBER
TRIVIA:

The earliest known mechanical mill is

the ________ sawmill, a Roman water-
powered stone mill at Hierapolis, Asia
Minor dating back to the 3rd century
AD.

CUTTING LUMBER
Hierapolis sawmill

CUTTING LUMBER
TREE
LUMBER CUTS
LIVE SAWN MILLING – MOST EFFICIENT, BLENDED MIX OF ALL
CUTS.
Live sawn milling is the most efficient way to cut a log into flooring
planks and it is a newer milling method than the others. Each plank
is cut straight off of the log in one direction without changing the
orientation of the log. This method produces boards with a full
range of angles of the log's rings, also known as the log's "grain".
The names of these angles can get pretty technical, but we will
spare you the details - the angles range from 0 to 90 degrees or
so. Live sawn planks include a full range of the log's characteristics,
from the sought-after heartwood where the ring patterns are
tightest to the sapwood.
Live Sawn Advantages: A material efficient floor with beautiful
mixtures of all milling methods included.

LUMBER CUTS
LUMBER CUTS
PLAIN SAWN MILLING – MORE EFFICIENT MIXTURE OF CUTS
USUALLY FOR GRADING AND SORTING PURPOSES.
Plain sawn milling, also known as "flat" sawn milling, is the most
common way to cut a log into flooring planks today. While it is still
a more efficient milling method, more material waste is produced
than in live sawn milling. The planks are cut so that the angles of the
rings are no more than 35 degrees. The resulting grain pattern on
the face of the flooring plank resembles dark cathedral shapes
and patterns.

Plain Sawn Advantages: Although not as efficient as live sawn, plain

saw milling is still material efficient and has beautiful grain patterns.

LUMBER CUTS
LUMBER CUTS
QUARTER SAWN MILLING – MORE EXPENSIVE THAN PLAIN
SAWN, PRODUCES MORE WASTE MATERIAL.
This is a commonly known milling cut in high-end furniture and tables
sold as “Quarter Sawn Oak” and such. This cut produces an
amazingly straight, striped grain with distinctive “ray and fleck”
patterns mixed throughout in red and white oaks. During milling, the
log is first quartered lengthwise resulting in wedges with right
angles ending towards the center of the log – intersecting the
board face at 60 to 90 degree angles. Due to this process, quarter
sawn boards are typically narrower than plain sawn boards
because the log is first quartered – which is a more wasteful
method.
Quarter Sawn Advantages: Dramatic grain patterns with beautiful
flecking in oak species – matching the “mission style” design found in
American history. Dimensionally stable and generally more resistant to
moisture penetration.
LUMBER CUTS
LUMBER CUTS
RIFT SAWN MILLING – MOST EXPENSIVE, PRODUCES MOST WASTE
MATERIAL, LEAST COMMON.
Rift sawing is the most expensive and rare of the milling methods, though
sometimes it is mistaken for quarter sawn boards as they are commonly
milled as a compliment to a quarter sawn floor. The boards are milled
perpendicular to the tree’s growth rings. This produces a noticeably
straight grain pattern with no flecking present. In rift sawn milling, the
log's growth rings range from 30-60 degrees to the face of the board,
with 45 degrees being the optimum. Due to the extreme amount of waste
from the rest of the wood, Rift Sawn flooring is extremely rare and
expensive. However, with that expense comes beauty and greater
stability. Rift sawn boards are extremely stable and produce a uniquely
linear appearance.
Rift Sawn Advantages: Produces the strongest possible boards with the most
consistent visual look of long and straight grain patterns. Generally the
choice of cut for fine furniture makers looking for consistent patterns
throughout their design.

LUMBER CUTS
LUMBER CUTS
CATHEDRAL PATTERN
The followings are the five main types of defects in
timber:
1. Defects due to Natural Forces
2. Defects due to Attack by Insects
3. Defects due to Fungi
4. Defects due to Defective Seasoning
5. Defects due to Defective Conversion

DEFECTS OF TIMBER
Defects in Timber due to Natural Forces
Knots: Knots are the most common defects caused due to natural
forces. During the growth of a tree, branches close to the ground or
lower branches die. Bases of those branches remain in the tree as
the trees grow. These bases may create imperfection known as
knots.

Knots are of two types.

Dead knots: The remains of damaged branches after drying out
they become loose and fall out.
Live knots: They are sound and firm. If small, are not great of a
defect.

DEFECTS OF TIMBER
DEFECTS OF TIMBER
Twist: Twist in timber rotates the ends of the timber in opposite
directions. The main reason behind this defect is twisting of the trees
by the strong wind.

DEFECTS OF TIMBER
Shakes: shakes are timber defects that occur around the annual ring or
growth ring of a timber. In other words, cracks or splits in the woods are
called shakes.
It may or may not be a structural problem depending upon depth and
use. The main problem is aesthetic. Where the appearance is important,
shakes are undesirable.
STAR SHAKES: this type of shake starts propagating from the bark
towards the sapwood and sometimes even towards the heartwood along
the lines of medullary rays. The main reasons behind star shakes are
extreme heat or frosting during the growth of the trees and rapid or
uneven seasoning after cutting off the timber. Extreme heat or frost
causes temperature difference, which causes shrinkage leading to the
crack.

DEFECTS OF TIMBER
Cup and/or ring shakes: cup shakes follow the annual growth ring. It is
capable to separate the growth ring partially or completely. When the
crack separates the annual ring completely, it is called ring shakes. So, all
ring shakes are cup shakes, but all cup shakes are not a ring shape.
Excessive frost action is the main reason for this type of crack.
Heart shakes: unlike star shakes, heart shakes starts propagating from
the pith to the sapwood along the lines of medullary rays. Shrinkage of
the interior part of the timber causes this crack.

DEFECTS OF TIMBER
DEFECTS OF TIMBER
Rind Galls: The meaning of rind is bark and gall is abnormal growth. So
abnormal growth of the bark of the trees is called rind galls. Improper
cutting of branches causes this abnormal growth. Wood from this portion
of the timber lacks strength and desirable in structure.
Upsets: Upsets in various wood indicate that the tree was subjected to
crushing or compression. Improper felling of trees, heavy wind blowing
during the young age of the tree these are the main reasons behind this
type of defect.

DEFECTS OF TIMBER
DEFECTS OF TIMBER DUE TO ATTACK BY INSECTS
• Insects like beetles, termites or marine boars eat wood, make holes
and weaken the strength of the wood.
• Beetles are small insects that make holes in almost all the sapwoods.
The larvae make tunnels through the sapwood in all directions and turn
wood into powder.
• Termites live in a colony. They are very fast in eating woods and
making tunnels through it. Only a few good kinds of wood can
withstand the action of termites.
• Marine boars are found in salt water. Usually, they make tunnels in
wood to take refuge or shelter. All kinds of wood or timber are
vulnerable to this kind of insect.

DEFECTS OF TIMBER
Defects in Timber due to Attack by Fungi
Stain: When fungi feed only on sapwood, where the food materials are
stored, it causes a stain. Heartwood doesn’t contain these kinds of food
materials and is not affected by it. Stain action causes color but does not
affect the strength of the wood.
Decay: wood eating or wood destroying fungus is responsible for this
type of defect in wood. This type of fungi breaks down the cell structure.
Both sapwood and heartwood are affected by them. Considerable
strength reduction occur

DEFECTS OF TIMBER
DEFECT IN TIMBER DUE TO DEFECTIVE SEASONING
Faulty method of seasoning causes serious defects in woods. During
seasoning of timber, exterior or surface layer of the timber dries before
the interior surface. So, stress is developed due to the difference in
shrinkage. In a perfect seasoning process, stress is kept minimum by
controlling the shrinkage.
Bow: Curvature formed in direction of the length of the timber is called
bow.
Cup: Curvature formed in the transverse direction of the timber is called a
cup.
Check: Check is a kind of crack that separates fibers, but it doesn’t extend
from one end to another.
Split: Split is a special type of check that extends from one end to another.
Honey Combing: Stress is developed in the heartwood during the drying
process or seasoning. For these stresses, cracks are created in the form of
honeycomb texture.

DEFECTS OF TIMBER
DEFECTS OF TIMBER
DEFECTS OF TIMBER DUE TO DEFECTIVE CONVERSION
Boxed Heart: This term is applied to the timber, which is sawn in a way
that the pith or the center heart falls entirely within the surface throughout
its length.
Machine Burnt: Overheating is the main reason for this defect.
Machine Notches: defective holding and pulling causes this defect.
Miscut: erroneous cutting or sawing of wood causes this defect. Lack of
experience in sawing and carelessness is the main reason for erroneous
cutting.
Imperfect Grain: Mismatch in grain alignment.

DEFECTS OF TIMBER
Moisture Content - It is one of the most important characteristics of
timber that affects its use on the site performance.
• Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) - moisture content of wood
changes in response to the temperature and humidity of its surroundings.
• Fibre Saturation Point (FSP) – when the cell cavities are empty but the
cell
walls still retain their bound water.

MOISTURE OF TIMBER
SEASONING CHARACTERISTICS OF TIMBER
• Class A (Highly refractory woods) – These timbers are slow and
difficult to dry if the final product is to be free from defects, particularly
cracks andsplits.
• Class B (Moderately refractory woods) – These timbers show a
moderate tendency to crack and split during seasoning.
• Class C (Non-refractory woods) – These timbers can be rapidly
seasonedto be free from defects even by applying high temperatures in
industrial kilns.

MOISTURE OF TIMBER
METHODS OF SEASONING OF TIMBER
There are two methods of Seasoning of timber which are explained
below
1. Natural seasoning
2. Artificial seasoning

NATURAL SEASONING
Solar Drying
Solar seasoning offers a compromise between the low energy
requirement of air drying and the speed of kiln drying. A number
of different configurations have been tried, including a double
skinned inflatable kiln. Because the energy input is variable, the
kilns often have effective insulation to hold the heat inside at night
time.

SEASONING OF TIMBER
Water Seasoning
Water seasoning is the process in which timber is immersed in water
flow which helps to remove the sap present in the timber. It will take
2 to 4 weeks of time and after that the timber is allowed to dry.
Well-seasoned timber is ready to use.

SEASONING OF TIMBER
Air Seasoning
In the process of air seasoning timber logs are arranged in layers in a
shed. The arrangement is done by maintaining some gap with the ground.
So, platform is built on ground at 300mm height from ground. The logs
are arranged in such a way that air is circulated freely between logs. By
the movement of air, the moisture content in timber slowly reduces and
seasoning occurs. Even though it is a slow process it will produce well-
seasoned timber.

SEASONING OF TIMBER
ARTIFICIAL SEASONING OF TIMBER
Natural seasoning gives good results but takes more time. So, artificial
seasoning of timber is developed nowadays. By artificial seasoning,
timber is seasoned with in 4-5 days. Here also different methods of
artificial seasoning are there and they are as follows.

1. Seasoning by Boiling
2. Chemical seasoning
3. Kiln seasoning
4. Electrical seasoning

SEASONING OF TIMBER
Seasoning by Boiling
Seasoning of timber is also achieved by boiling it in water for 3 to 4
hours. After boiling timber is allowed to drying. For large quantity of
timber boiling is difficult so, sometimes hot steam is passed through timber
logs in enclosed room. It also gives good results. The boiling or steaming
process develops the strength and elasticity of timber but economically it
is of heavier cost.

Chemical Seasoning
In case of chemical seasoning, timber is stored in suitable salt solution for
some time. The salt solution used has the tendency to absorb water from
the timber. So, the moisture content is removed and then timber is allowed
to drying. It affects the strength of the timber.

SEASONING OF TIMBER
SEASONING OF TIMBER
Kiln Seasoning
In this method timber is subjected to hot air in air tight chamber. The hot
air circulates in between the timber logs and reduces the moisture content.
The temperature inside the chamber is raised with the help of heating
coils. When the required temperature is obtained moisture content and
relative humidity gets reduced and timber gets seasoned. Even though it
is costly process it will give good results strength wise.

SEASONING OF TIMBER
Electrical Seasoning
In the method of electrical seasoning timber is subjected to high
frequency alternating currents. The resistance of timber against electricity
is measured at every interval of time. When the required resistance is
reached seasoning, process is stopped because resistance of timber
increases by reducing moisture content in it. It is also called as rapid
seasoning and it is uneconomical.

SEASONING OF TIMBER
PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
• Preservatives Types:
Type 1 (Oil Type) – coal tar creosote with or without admixture of
petroleum, coal tar, fuel oil or other suitable oils having high boiling
range.
Type 2 (Organic solvent type) – consist of toxic chemical compounds
dissolved in a non- aqueous solvent like volatile oils, spirits, naphtha etc.
Type 3 ( Water-soluble [leachable] ) – these preservatives are
inorganic
salts soluble in water.
Type 4 ( Water-soluble [Fixed] ) – These consists of the various salt
described above with the addition of fixative salt, usually sodium or
potassium dichromate.

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
PROPERTIES OF GOOD PRESERVATIVE FOR TIMBER
1. It should be effortlessly and cheaply available.
2. It should not contain any harmful substances, gases etc.
3. It should cover larger area with small quantity. Hence, it should be
economical.
4. Decorative treatment or any surface treatment should be allowed on
timber after the application of preservative.
5. Strength of timber should not be affected by the preservative.
6. It should not contain any unpleasant smell.
7. It should not get affected by light, heat, water etc.
8. It should not get affected by fungi, insects etc. and should also
efficient to kill them.
9. It should not generate flame when contacts with fire.
10. It should not corrode metals when it makes a contact with them.
11. The depth of penetration of preservative in wood fibers should be
minimum 6mm to 25mm.

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
Coal Tar for Preservation of Timber
Coal tar is heated and obtained liquid hot tar is applied on timber
surface using brush. Coal tar contains unpleasant smell and does not
allow paint on it.
So, it is used for door frames, window frames etc. It is very cheap and
has good fire resistance.

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
ASCU is a special preservative which is available in powder form. It is
dissolved in water to get preservative solution.
It should be added 6 parts by weight of ASCU in 100 parts by weight of
water. The final solution is applied on timber by spraying. This solution
does not contain any odor. It is useful mainly to get rid of from white ants.
ASCU contains hydrated arsenic pent oxide, copper sulphate or blue
vitriol and sodium dichromate or potassium dichromate in it. After
applying ASCU, the timber can be coated with paint, varnished etc.

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
Chemical Slats for Preservation of Timber
Chemical salts like copper sulphate, mercury chloride and zinc chloride
are used as preservative which can be dissolved in water to get liquid
solution. They are odorless and do not generate flames when contact with
fire.

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
Oil Paints Preservatives for Timber
Oil paints are suitable for well-seasoned wood. They are generally
applied in 2 or 3 coats. Oil paints prevents timber from moisture. If
timber is not seasoned, then oil paints may lead to decay of timber by
confining sap.

Solignum Paints for Preservation of Timber

Solignum paints are applied in hot condition using brush. They are well
suitable for preserving timber from white ants. Solignum paints can be
used by adding color pigments so, the timber has good appearance.

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
CREOSOTE OIL FOR PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
Creosote oil is prepared by the distillation of tar. It is black or brown in
color. It contains unpleasant smell. It is applied in a special manner.
Firstly, the timber is well seasoned and dried. Then, it is placed in airtight
chamber and inside air is pumped out. Finally creosote oil is pumped into
the chamber with high pressure about 0.7 to 1 N/mm2 at a temperature
of 50oC.
fter allowing it for 2 hours, the timber absorbs creosote oil sufficiently
and taken out from the chamber.
Creosote oil is flammable so, it is not used for timber works in fireplaces.
It is generally used for wood piles, poles, railway sleepers etc.

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
METHODS OF APPLICATION FOR TIMBER PRESERVATION
1. Brushing
2. Spraying
3. Injecting under pressure
4. Dipping and stepping
5. Charring
6. Hot and cold open tank treatment

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
Brushing of Timber Preservatives
Brushings the simplest method of applying preservatives. For well-seasoned
timber, oil type preservatives are applied with good quality brushes.

For better results, the applied preservative should in hot condition. Multiple
coats should be applied and certain time interval should be maintained
between successive coats.

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
Spraying of Timber Preservatives
Spraying is an effective technique than brushing. In this case, preservative
solution is sprayed on to the surface using spray gun. It is time saving and
quite effective.

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
Preservative Injecting Under Pressure
The preservative is injected into the timber under high pressure conditions.
Generally, creosote oil is applied in this manner which is already discussed
above. It is costly treatment process and required special treatment plant.

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
Dipping and Stepping Method of Timber Preservation
Dipping is another type of preserving in which, timber is dipped directly in
the preservative solution. Hence, the solution penetrates the timber better
than the case of brushing or spraying.
In Some case, the stepping or wetting of timber with preservative solution is
allowed for few days or weeks which is also quite effective process.

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
Charring Method of Timber Preservation
Charring is nothing but burning of timber surface, which is quite an old
method of preservation of timber.

In this method, the timber surface is wetted for 30 minutes and burnt up to
a depth of 15mm from top surface. The burnt surface protects the inner
timber from white ants, fungi, etc.

This method is not suitable for exterior wood works so, it is applied for
wood fencing poles, telephone pole bottoms etc.

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER
Hot and Cold Open Tank Treatment of Timber
In this method, the timber is placed in an open tank which contains
preservative solution. This solution is then heated for few hours at 85 to 95
degree Celsius. Then, the solution is allowed to cool and timber gets
submerged with this gradual cooling. This type of treatment is generally
done for sap wood.

PRESERVATION OF TIMBER