Timber compared with stone, steel etc.

 5. Explain the term ‘Natural Timber’. Give advantages and disadvantages of natural  timber over other structural materials like stone, steel etc.

Ans. 

            All the wood on the earth is not timber.  Natural timber is that wood used in constructions and which becomes a part of civil structure or an interior entity / furniture.  Timber has a wide usage in our everyday life.  It is like from cradle to coffin.  It is used for doors, windows, beams, pillars, chairs, tables, beds, cupboards, ceilings, partitions and almost everything in furniture.

            The timber is normally processed through the following stages before it is used in civil structure or for making the furniture items.

1)     Felling of the tree

2)     Removal of the bark by slicing or turning

3)     Sawing the log into large suitable sections of desired sizes

4)     Seasoning

Advantages of Timber over stones, steels etc.:

a)     Timber has highest ‘strength to weight ratio’ among building materials.

b)    It has highest stiffness to weight ratio.

c)     It is a good thermal and electrical insulator.

d)    Its easy to work on it using hand tools. It is good for sight-work.

e)     This is the only material replenished by nature in a reasonable period of time.

Disadvantages of timber over stones, steels etc.:

a)     Biodegradability

b)    Combustibility

c)     Prone to attack of termites

d)    Moisture release or absorption from atmosphere

-          Dimension change

-          Warping, splitting due to differential shrinkage

-          Reduced strength, stiffness, hardness

e)     Constraint on size

f)     Weak near knots.

g)    HAMPERS ECO-CYCLE