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Construction Material Selection Criteria

Based on specific specifications are placed by materials engineers, the construction material is

selected to be used in work. These materials must achieve a set of standards and characteristics

(Ashby and Jones 2005). These categories of standards include economic factors, mechanical

properties, nonmechanical properties, production/construction considerations and aesthetic

properties. These standards are traditional, civil engineers must consider environmental quality.

In 1997 the ASCE Code of Ethics was adjusted to involve “sustainable development” as a moral

issue.

Historical review

Wood is one of the oldest building materials in existence, with evidence that houses built more

than 10,000 years ago used timber as a primary source for building materials. During 9000BC to

5000BC, one of the biggest structures in the world was the Neolithic Long House in Europe. After

that, the discovery of some elements such as bronze and steel led to improve use of wood in the

construction of buildings. Wood keeps going to be used to construct modest buildings such as the

log cabin, and glorious structures such as Chinese temples (Log Cabin Hub, 2016).

Wood Production

Based on advanced studies in wood harvesting and processing, wood is harvested from forests as

logs and then transported to saw mills. Where they are cut into forms of different dimensions to

produce different types of wood based on various engineering applications include dimension

lumber, heavy timber, round stock, engineered wood and specialty items ( Michael S. Mamlouk

and John P. Zaniewski, 1998). Table1 shows comparison between types of wood.
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Wood Properties

 Physical properties: Many physical properties that can be perceived by the naked eye or in

uncomplicated ways are sometimes unique, and can greatly help in identification. Wood can

be tested through color to identify wood type and type of the parent tree. Light reflectivity or

sheen is occasionally distinctive for a particular species, the side-grain surfaces of spruce are

considered lustrous in relation to those of redwood, which by comparison are dull. Some wood

can be distinguished through odor. Relative weight and surface compressive strength

properties can be determined by knowing density and hardness of wood, respectively (Hoadley,

R. Bruce, 2000).

 Mechanical Properties: Modulus of elasticity, strength properties. Variation in moisture

content and specific gravity in wood species impacts on the stress-strain relation of wood

which its slope refers modulus of elasticity. Modulus of rupture in bending, compressive

strength, tensile strength, shear strength, torsion, toughness, and fatigue strength are all a

strength property of wood which vary greatly depending on the orientation of grain relative to

the direction of force. Figure 1.1 shows the stress-strain relation of wood.

Type of Construction

Prior to the 20th century, timber was the major material used for both highway and railroad bridges.

In North America, most housing and commercial structures built prior to the 20th century used

wood as the major structural material. In design and construction houses process the effects of

moisture content, seasoning and the consequences of associated shrinkage and checking must be

considered (ICC 400-2007). Bridges consist of a substructure and a superstructure. The

substructure consists of abutments, piers, or piling, and it supports the superstructure that consists

of stringers and/ or a deck (Ritter, 1992). Several bridge railing systems were recently crash-tested
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and approved for use by the Federal Highway Administration (Faller and others, 1999). Figures

1.2 and 1.3 show wood houses and bridges, respectively.

Fire Protection

It is curious that wood is not very flammable. Wood does not ignite easily except in special cases

if it is dry at high temperatures and in case if the twigs are small. In the case of large timber, the

rate of combustion is slow due to the formation of a layer of coal that protects the bottom of the

wood, so some wooden buildings remain serviceable after a fire (Babrauskas.V, 2003).

Termites

Termites pose a major threat on the structure and contents of wooden buildings. Termites live in

colonies numbering more than a million. Good building construction incorporates termite shields

(ant caps) on stumps and piers. These are not intentional to stop termites entering the timber above,

but to decelerate them and drive them to construct shelter tubes out and around the shields, where

the tubes can readily be seen (Creffield J.W, 1991) .

Wood in Palestine

Wood were not spread as a construction material in Palestine, the purpose was more aesthetic than

construction. Use sawn timber in traditional buildings with doors, windows, and grills. Local wood

is a costly building material because of its scarcity in Palestine. For marshals, they are mostly

wooden. In addition to the use of wood with openings, it was used as a structural element for

ceilings in mudstone houses in the Jordan Valley and coastal plain.

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Tables

Table 1, types of wood

Wood Type Uses

Dimension lumber studs, sill and top plates, joists, beams, rafters,
trusses, and decking.
Heavy timber heavy frame construction, landscaping, railroad
ties, and marine construction.
Round stock building poles, marine piling, and utility poles.

Engineered wood structural panels, glulam, structural composite

lumber, and composite structural members.

Specialty items lattice, handrails, spindles, radius edge decking,

turned posts.

Source: Michael S. Mamlouk and John P. Zaniewski, 1998.

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Figures

Fig. 1.1 Typical stress–strain relationship for wood.

Source: Michael S. Mamlouk and John P. Zaniewski, 1998.

Fig. 1.2 Modern log homes are available in a variety of designs.

Source: The Log Home Council, National Association of Home Builders, Washington, D.C
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Fig. 1.3 Railroad bridge timber construction

Source: Trover, 2018

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Reference List

Ashby, M. and Jones, D. (2005). Engineering materials 1. 3rd ed. Burlington: Butterworth-
Heinemann.

Mamlouk, M. and Zaniewski, J. (1998). Materials for Civil and Construction Engineers in SI
Units. 4th ed. Harlow, United Kingdom: Pearson Education Limited.

Hoadley, R. (2000). Understanding wood. 1st ed. Newtown, Conn.: Taunton Press.

Ritter, M. (2005). Timber Bridges. Honolulu: University Press of the Pacific.

Faller, R.K.; Ritter, M.A.; Rosson, B.T.; Duwadi, S.R. 1999. Railing systems for use on timber
deck bridges. Underground and other structural design issues. Washington, D.C.: National
Academy Press. Transportation research record 1656. pp. 110–119.

Babrauskas, V. (2003). Ignition handbook. Issaquah, WA: Fire Science Publishers.

Creffield, J. (1991). Wood destroying insects. 1st ed. Melbourne: CSIRO.

Logcabinhub.com. (2016). Living with Wood: From the Beginning of Time Infographic - Log
Cabin Hub. [online] Available at: https://www.logcabinhub.com/living-with-wood-from-the-
beginning-of-time/ [Accessed 26 Feb. 2019].

Trover. (2018). Vance Creek Viaduct, Mason County, Washington — by Evan Muscat. [online]

Available at: https://www.trover.com/d/ZazT-vance-creek-viaduct-mason-county-washington

[Accessed 27 Feb. 2019].