Timber || Introduction || Classification || Properties || Functions

 Timber

Introduction 

It is large piece of wood which is used in building, carpentry, and other engineering purpose. The word Timber is derived from the old English word Timberian, meaning to build. Timber is also known as Lumber in the US and Canada.

Timber is a natural construction material that has been used for thousands of centuries. Due to the research being done on Timber in modern times, we can know its properties better. As a result, its production and applications have increased more than ever.What is timber 

It is also used in structural purpose as well as interior design because it is a natural material, due to which it is completely eco-friendly, renewable, and recyclable material. Due to being a natural material, its properties look different in different environment or area. 

All the wood which is used in construction work is called Timber or Lumber. In other words, we can say that every wood which has minimum yield strength, and which can be changed to standard size is called Timber.

In this blog, we will discuss what is Timber, its different types, its properties and function.

There are three types of timber :-----

1. Stand timber 
2. Rough timber and 
3. Converted timber 

1. Stand timber 

The timber contained in a living tree.

Stand Timber 

2. Rough timber 

The timber which is obtained from after falling of tree. 

Rough Timber 

3. Converted timber 

The timber which is sawn and cut into commercial size.

Converted Timber 

Classification of timber 

1. Softwood

2. Hardwood

1. Softwood 

The softwood species are coniferous and include spruces, pines, and firs. These trees generally retain their needle-like leaves throughout the year. These trees are generally evergreen. Hence, softwood trees are also known as evergreens. Types of timber in civil engineering 

Botanically, softwood is also known as gymnosperms. The origin of the word gymnosperms is a Greek word meaning "naked seed". This means that gymnosperms give seeds in cones instead of giving seeds from flowers. Generally these trees are grown in cold climates.

2. Hardwood 

The hardwood species are deciduous and include  oaks, birches, and maples. They have broad leaves, which they lose in winter. 

The hardwoods of the temperate zone are usually weather-based, while most tropical hardwoods retain their leaves throughout the year. Hardwoods mainly consist of large longitudinal cells and complex cell structures.

Difference between softwood and hardwood :--

•    The wood from both species is used  for structural timber, but softwoods are much more common in Europe due to their greater availability and lower costs.Importance of timber  

•    Never get confused about the word of both that Softwood does not mean that its timber is soft and hardwood does not mean that its wood is hard because balsa is a hardwood but is softer and less dense than any softwood, whereas pitch pine is a softwood that is very hard and more dense than all hardwoods.

•    Softwoods are light in color and hardwoods are dark in color. 

•    Softwoods are light in weight and hardwoods are heavy in weight. 

•    Softwoods have resinous structure and hardwoods have close grained structure.

•    Softwood is strong to withstand direct tension but weak to withstand compression or shear and the hardwood withstand equally in tension, compression, and shear. 

 Physical property of timber

 

Appearance 

A good timber should have good look or appearance naturally if it is not it should adopt painting. 

Hardness 

A good timber should have sufficient hardness, so that it can be resist loss due to friction. 

Toughness  

A good Timber should be sufficient tough,  so that it can resist impact load. 

Strength 

A good timber should have sufficient strength, so that it can resist compressive force sufficiently. 

Fire resistance 

Timber is bad conductor of heat. It should resist fire so that a proper duration of time should be their to leave out the fire building. What is the properties of timber 

Smell 

A good Timber should have a sweet smell. Bad smell of timber indicates its low strength. 

Sound 

A timber should give ringing sound when stretched. 

Shape 

A good Timber should be able to retain its shape during cutting, seasoning, etc. It should not wrap, or twist during seasoning. 

Working conduction 

A good Timber should be easily workable. It should not clog the teeth of saw, capable of easily planned, etc.  

Defect in timber 

A good timber should not have serious effect.

Mechanical properties of timber 

Density 

The wood substance / unit volume and moisturizing content present in a timber is called density of that timber. In other words, we can say that the timber in which the quantity of wood is more, its density will be more. Characteristics of timber

Density is an important indicator of the properties and strength of timber. The timber which has high density shrinks quickly.

Moisture content 

Timber is a hygroscopic material, which means that it exchanges its moisture, which affects its properties. 

Moisture content is the most important of all woods factors that affect its strength, properties, and durability.

Temperature 

Timber has low co-efficiency of thermal expansion, and thermal conductivity. In other words, we can say that Timber is an excellent heat insulator. Its strength also is depends on thermal properties.

Durability 

There is always a risk of different organism attacks on Timber. Fungi use it as their food source. Due to which its strength, durability, appearance, etc. also decreases. 

It is very important to have a moisture to produce fungi in timber. If we control the moisture content present in the timber, then we can reduce the damage caused by these organisms. 

Apart from this, many insects and pests like termites, white ants, borers, etc. attack on timber and destroy it. So the amount of moisture content in the timber should always be maintained at 20%.

For more information go through below link 

• Mortar and its classification, and properties
• Bricks and its properties, and classification 
• Contouring 
• Accessories of linear measurement 

Uses of timber 

•    It is used in frame of a door and window, shutter of a door and window, furniture, like chair, table, bed, etc.  

•    It is used in manufacturing of musical instruments like harmonium, tabla, drum, flute, etc. What is the use of timber 

•    It is used in manufacturing of agricultural instruments like axe, plough, etc. 

•    It was also used in railway sleeper, packing case, etc.  

•    It is used in construction of formwork, structural component like beam, column, lintel, etc. 

•    It is used in construction of temporary bridges, boats, etc. 

•    It is used for decorator purpose like showcases, furniture, etc. 

•   It is used in the body of making vehicles such as buses, lorries, trains, boats etc.

•    It is used for industrial purposes such as making paper, cardboard, wallpaper, etc.

•    Timber is an important source of energy. It is used in domestic works such as keeping the house warm, cooking, heating water.Experts believe that 40% of the timber harvested from the forest is used as fuel source.