WOOD AND TIMBER

Compiled by -Riya
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WOOD AND
TIMBER
Timber is a type of wood which has been
The term ‘wood’ is used to refer to the
processed into beams and planks. It is also
substance that makes up the tree. It is
known as “lumber” in US and Canada.
the hard, fibrous structural tissue that is
Basically, timber or Lumber is a wood or
commonly found in the stems and roots
firewood of growing trees. Any wood
of trees. The primary function of wood is
capable of yielding a minimum dimensional
to support the tree, enabling it to grow
size can be termed as a timber or lumber. It
straight and tall enough to be able to
is a stage in the process of wood
absorb sunlight for photosynthesis.
production. Timbers are used for the
Wood also enables the transfer of water
structural purpose. Those woods which are
and nutrients to growing tissues and
adapted for building purposes are timbers.
leaves.
Finished timber is supplied in standard sizes
for the industry. Timber is used for building
houses and making furniture.
WOOD TIMBER
TYPES OF TIMBER/LUMBAR

● BAMBOO ● PLYWOOD
● BIRCH ● SAPELE WOOD
● CEDAR ● TULIPWOOD
● CHERRY ● WALNUT
● CROSS-LAMINATED ● WOOD ASH
● GLULAM ● SPRUCE
● GREEN TIMBER ● FIR
● LIME ● OAK
● MAHOGANY ● PINE
COMMONLY USED TIMBER
COMMONLY USED TIMBER
BAMBOO BIRCH CEDAR

FIR MAHOGANY OAK

USES
OF
TIMBER
USES OF TIMBER
Timber is used for the following works:

1. For heavy construction works like columns, trusses, piles.

2. For light construction works like doors, windows, flooring and roofing.

3. For other permanent works like for railway sleepers, fencing poles, electric poles and gates.

4. For temporary works in construction like scaffolding, centering, shoring and strutting, packing of
materials.

5. For decorative works like showcases and furnitures.

6. For body works of buses, lorries, trains and boats

7. For industrial uses like pulps (used in making papers), card boards, wall papers

8. For making sports goods and musical instruments.

CLASSIFICATION
OF TIMBER
Depending on the mode of growth trees are classified into two
categories as : (a) Endogenous, and (b) Exogenous

1. Endogenous 2. Exogenous

Trees are the ones that grow inwards Trees are those that grow outwards
in a longitudinal fibrous mass such as by the addition of one concentric ring
banana, bamboo, plam and cane. every year. These rings are known as
Even though the “stem” of trees of this annual rings. Since one ring in the
class is light and tough yet it is too stem of a tree indicates its age in
flexible and slender to furnish material years. It is timber obtained from this
suitable for engineering works, with class of trees that is extensively used
the exception of bamboo. in engineering works.
Timber available from exogenous trees is further classified into
two categories as :

(a) Conifers or (b) Deciduous are trees

evergreens yielding Soft with broad leaf, yielding
wood. These are trees with Hard wood. Teak, sal,
pointed leaves. Deodar, shisham belong to this
class.
Pine, chir and kail belong
to this class.
 GROWTH
AND
STRUCTURE OF
TIMBER
GROWTH OF TIMBER
In spring season roots of the tree suck a solution of salts from the soil-
salts that are food for the tree and transmit the same through the trunk of
tree to its branches and leaves. This solution of salts looses some of the
moisture because of evaporation and absorbs carbon dioxide from the air.
This action in the presence of sun makes the solution a bit viscous. This
transformed viscous solution is known as sap.

In autumn viscous sap descends below the bark and leaves a thick layer.
Layer of sap left below the bark gets transformed to wood and is known
as cambium layer. It goes on gaining strength with the passage of time. A
fresh layer is thus added on the outside of the tree every year forming a
new annual ring. The new ring represents a year’s growth of tree.

Medullary rays carry the sap from below the bark to the interior thereby
STRUCTURE OF TIMBER
On examining the cross section of the trunk of an exogenous
tree, we see the different parts as shown . A brief description
of each part is discussed separately.
 STRUCTURE OF TIMBER- EXPLAINED
BARK- It is outermost protective covering of cells and woody fibres on a tree. In course of time
older layer split and scale off.

PITH OR MEDULLA ANNUAL RINGS

It is the first formed portion of the stem of tree.
It consists entirely of cellular tissues. The pith,
which when the plant is young, contains a The rings of woody fibre arranged in concentric
large amount of fluid and nourishes the plant. circle around the pith are known as annual rings
It dies up and decays when the plant becomes because one such ring is added every year.
old. Sap is then transmitted by the woody
fibres that deposit about the pith. Pith of
branches is a mere prolongation of the pith of
stem.
 STRUCTURE OF TIMBER-EXPLAINED

HEART WOOD SAP WOOD

Innermost rings surrounding the pith constitute Outer annual rings of the tree constitute the sap
the heart wood. This wood is darker in colour, wood which transmits the sap from roots to
stronger, more compact and durable. branches. Compared with heart wood, sap wood
is lighter in colour, weaker and more liable to
decay.
 STRUCTURE OF TIMBER-EXPLAINED

CAMBIUM LAYER MEDULLARY RAYS

Outermost one ring between the bark and sap
These are thin horizontal veins radiating from
wood which is not yet converted into wood is
the pith towards the bark. They carry sap from
known as the cambium layer. In due course,
outside to the inner parts of tree and nourish it.
cambium layer changes to sapwood. If the
They keep the annual rings tightly gripped
cambium layer is exposed by removing the
together. In some trees they might be found
bark, the cells cease to be active and results in
broken or may not even be clearly visible.
death of tree.
DEFECTS
IN
TIMBER
TYPES OF DEFECTS

Defects in timber can affect its

● STRENGTH
● APPEARANCE
● DURABILITY

Defects in timber are either

1. NATURAL- Defects that may be present in the growing tree

2. ARTIFICIAL- Defects caused by seasoning , conversion and
falling process.
NATURAL DEFECTS-

KNOTS
● Caused when the branches
of the tree are cut off or
stop growing
● There are more knots in
softwood as the branches
are low to the ground
● The gain of the timber
around knots is twisted
which reduces its strength
TWO TYPES OF KNOTS

DEAD KNOT LIVE KNOT

● Result of a branch that stopped ● These branches are still

growing before the tree is felled. growing before the tree is
● Dark in colour and shows sign of felled.
decay
● Light in colour and do not
● Weaken the timber and often
become loose and fall out. generally fall out.
NATURAL DEFECT

HEART ROT SPIRAL GRAIN

Occurs when fungus attacks and rots Caused by the twisting of the tree
the pith of the heartwood during growth.
NATURAL DEFECT

RESIN CANALS FALLING DEFECTS

Some trees which are exposed to high Cracks or splits in the wood are called
winds, develop internal [Link] shakes . These occur when adjacent
splits fill with resin or gum to make (beside each other) layers of fibres
the wood resinous. separate in the end grain of wood
TYPES OF SHAKES
CUP AND RINGS Shakes

● Gaps between growth rings

are known as cap or ring
shakes .

● They can be very deep

● Caused by- old age

TYPES OF DEFECTS

FROST SHAKE
● This is where the wood
splits inwards towards
the centre and is caused
by very cold weather .

RADIAL SHAKE
● A split along the outside
of the wood caused by
rapid drying (shringage)
of log before
conversion
TYPES OF DEFECTS

CROSS THUNDER SHAKES

● Where the wood splits

across the grain.

● Caused by severe shock

during falling or by lighting
attack on the tree while
living
SEASONING
OF

TIMBER
SEASONING OF TIMBER
Reduction of moisture content along with improving some qualities
before the use of woods is called seasoning of timber. By
seasoning, generally, the moisture is reduced to about 15% where
new cut woods bear about 50%.

REASONS FOR SEASONING OF TIMBER

Seasoning of timber is done to fulfill some specific requirement. Followings are the
reasons to perform timber seasoning.

To change and improve the properties of wood.

To make a correct percentage of shrinking of woods.
To make a confident use of woods.
To reduce the adverse behavior of woods.
SEASONING

DEFECTS
SEASONING DEFECTS OF TIMBER

CUPPING
● When you look at the end of
the board it appears as a
curve.
● Caused by unequal amounts
of the growth rings

BOWING
● When you look at the edge of
the wood it appears curved
● Caused by poor stacking
SEASONING DEFECTS OF TIMBER

Twisting/wrapping
● When the ends of the boards are
twisted in opposite direction.
● Caused by shrinkage along spiral or
interlocking grain
SPRINGING
● When the face of the board remains
flat and the edge bends inward to
form a curve
● Caused by shrinkage longitudinally
along irregular grain.
 SEASONING DEFECTS OF TIMBER

END SPLITS
● Occur at the exposed end of the board
● Caused by rapid drying out from the
sun
● Prevented by painting the timber with
bitumous paint (water proof)

SURFACE SPLITS/CHECKS
● Usually lie along the grain
● If they are not too deep they can be
planed off .
● Caused by rapid drying out on the
surface of the wood.
SEASONING DEFECTS OF TIMBER
CASE HARDENING
● Where the outside of the board is dry
and hard but moisture is trapped in the
centre cells of the wood.
● Caused by rapid drying

COLLAPSE OR WASH BOARDING

● When the cells of the wood collapse
due to high temperatures and too rapid
drying
● Prevented by using a low temperature
schedule when seasoning
SEASONING DEFECTS OF TIMBER

WANEY EDGE
● Occurs when the bark is left on
during conversion
● Often used as a decorative feature in
futniture making

SLOPING GRAIN/SHORT GRAIN

● Grain does not run parallel to the
edge of the board because of bad
conversion
● Seriously weakens the timber.
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:
1. Tar
2. Paints
3. Chemical salt
4. Creosote
5. ASCO
COAL TAR PRESERVSTIVE FOR TIMBER

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. Main disadvantage of
this
method of preservation is that
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.
PAINTS PRESERVATION FOR TIMBER

Two to three coats of oil paints are

applied on clean surface of wood.
The paint protects the timber from
moisture. The paint is to be
applied from time to time. Paint
improves the
appearance of the timber.
Solignum paint is a special paint
which protects the timber from the
attack of termites.
CHEMICAL SALT PRESERVATIVE FOR TIMBER

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.
CREOSOTE PRESERVATIVE FOR TIMBER

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 50°C. After 1 to 2
hours timber is taken out of the
chamber.
ASCO PRESERVATIVE FOR TIMBER

This preservative is developed by the Forest

Research Institute, Dehradun. It consists of 1
part by weight of hydrated arsenic pentoxide
(As2O5, 2 H2O), 3 parts by weight of copper
sulphate
(CuSO4⋅5 H2O) and 4 parts by weight of
potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) or sodium
dichromate (Na2Cr2O7⋅2 H2O). 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.
STRENGTH
OF

TIMBER
STRENGTH OF TIMBER
Best quality timbers have the highest strength . Strength means capable to
bear loads. Anisotropic material like timber has different portions. So, the
strength of timber is different at different points. Grain structure determines
the strength of the timber. Some types of strength of timber are-

1. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH- 500 kg/cm2 to 700 kg/cm2 load is enough

to test timber strength.
2. TENSILE STRENGTH- When timber is enough strong to the tensile force.
If perpendicular force is made then timber is weaker. 500-2000 kg/cm2 is
the range of tensile strength load.
3. TRANSVERSE STRENGTH- Enough bending strength indicates good
quality timber.
SELECTION
OF
TIMBER
SELECTION OF TIMBER
Timber is the most useful and important material for construction in building without which entire process is
incomplete. Selecting timber is not an easy task as it seems to be, because timber has different type and
selecting the right material is important key. Timber is again an expensive material to be incorporated in a
building for different purpose for which it should be necessarily be strong and tough. Timber doors or
windows whatever it is contribute a lot in the beautification and overall look of interiors. Timber while
selecting should be considered for its quality aspect as timber must be free from any decay like rotten, fungi
and mold or termite. Make sure timber you select is qualitative and even a single knot can bring down the
show of whole wood work.

Before purchasing timber material for the construction, one must be well informed regarding timber types
and forms to select. Timber selected must be checked properly to make sure that it is free from any kind of
mold, fungi, knot, or warp so that it would not give problem afterward. Explore some essential tips and
guidelines to know how to select timber for building:
● Teakwood is absolutely best timber to use in the construction of building. Teakwood is naturally durable wood
that is incorporated just on its good merit and adaptability although it is prone to attack by white ant and
insect. Yet builders choose it for its natural look, durability and long lasting characteristics. Today eventually
many substitutes have come that give resemblance of teakwood but nothing can give good quality of original
teakwood.
● Sal is another timber material that can be selected and it is identified as much stronger and quite harder than
teakwood. Sal is completely durable, harder, heavier and tougher than other timber material used in building.
Sal wood is also less prone to termite or fungi attack while it can be used for several constructive purposes.
● Deodar is strongest Indian conifer, although it has less strength and weight than teakwood yet deodar has
maintained it good image for its durability. Deodar wood is easily cast in any shape as it is easy to saw. This
type of wood is generally used for building & construction in homes and other structures.
● Hardwood is a form of wood which is treated thoroughly before use because it is not that durable as
teakwood or deodar. Hardwood has to go through different treatments to conform to building norms and
durability. Generally after treated through wood preservative and polishing hardwood gets suitable for house
building structure.
● Ply board is commonly used in buildings for various purposes and they are formed by pressing together
several layers of wood.
● Particle board is usually made from agro waste, cellulose etc and blended with adhesive to make into solid
board.
THANK YOU!