BUILDING

TECHNOLOGY

Francisco Ma. Jolina T.

AR21FA1

AR. Evangeline Maternal

WOOD

Wood is a porous and fibrous structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees, and other woody plants.
It has been used for thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a
natural composite of cellulose fibers (which are strong in tension) embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists
compression. Wood is sometimes defined as only the secondary xylem in the stems of trees, or it is defined more
broadly to include the same type of tissue elsewhere such as in the roots of trees or shrubs.

Natural wood has a certain properties that make it an

attractive building material:

 Natural warmth -to the touch; wood insulates

 Workability, easily shaped with simple tools
 Infinite variety; no two trees, or even pieces from the same tree are alike.
 Strength to weight ratio for bridges,boats, homes, furniture.
 Flexibility; watch how huge trees bend before the wind.
 Fire Protection; wood chars and therefore burns slowly doesn't melt or crumble.
 Color: natural, through woods ability to receive many types of stains and finishes.

CLASSIFICATION OF WOOD

a. Softwoods come from the conifers (evergreens) which have needles instead of leaves.
b.Hardwoods come from the broad- leaved or deciduous trees. Most philippine timber are of this latter kind.

The terms “Hardwood” and “softwood” are often misleading because they have no direct relation to the actual
physical hardness or softness of the wood, so that a hardwood may actually be softer than a softwood.

Structure of wood

a. Sapwood
-is the softer, younger outer portion of a tree that lies between the cambium (formative layer just under the
bark) and the heartwood.
-it is more permeable, less durable and usuallly lighter in color than the heartwood.

b. Heartwood
 The older, harder central portion of a tree.
 Usually contains deposits of various materials that frequently give it darker color than sapwood.
  Is denser, less permeable and more durable than the surrounding sapwood.The central core of the
log, its is composed of inactive cells and serves only as a mechanical support.

DEFECTS OF WOOD

a. Decay- Caused by by the attack of fungi.

b. Checks – Cracks or lengthwise separation across the annual rings of growth caused by irregular shrinkage
during drying. Checks are formed when the circumference shrink more than the interior section of the log.
c.Shakes – These are cracks between and parallel to the annual rings of the growth.
d.Knots – These are irregular growths in the body of the tree which interrupt the smooth curve of the grain.
The fibers of the tree are turned from their normal course and grow around the knot at the point of the tree.
e. Pitchpockets – These are well defined openings between annual rings containing solid or liquid pitch.
f. Wane – This is the lack of wood on the edge or corner of a piece.
g. Warping – Any variation with the plane surface of the piece caused by unequal shrinkage of the board.
There are several forms of warp.
 Crook- a distortion of the board in which the edge is convex or concave longitudinal.
 Bow – A distortion of the board in which the face is convex or concave longitudinal.
 Cup – a distortion of the board in which the face is convex or concave across the board.
 Twist – a distortion of the board in which one corner is raised.

Lumber
Wood that is used in constructiion is called LUMBER.
Lumber is classifiedby it's size a and dimensions measured in inches, for example, a piece of lumber
measuring 2 inches by 4 inches is called 2x4.

Generally, they are available in even-numbered widths: 4,6,8,10,12 inches.

There are for available classifications of lumber:

a. strips. Lumber less than 2”thick and less than 8” wide.

b.Board lumber. Pieces less than 2” thick and atleast 8” wide.

c. Dimension lumber.Pieces more than 2”and less than 5” in any dimension.
d. Timbers. Pieces 5” or more on the smallest dimension.

2. LUMBER
PRESERVATION OF LUMBER
b. Water-borned wood preservatives
 Preservative Applications
Creosote Railway ties , mine timbers,poles,foundation piles,
marine piles and bulkheads
Pentachlorophenol Utility poles, cross arms, bridge timbers and ties
ACA Piles, Utility poles, marine timbers, construction
lumber
CCA Guide rail posts, utility poles, bridge timbers, piles,
structural glued-laminated timbers, landscape timbers,
posts, boardwalks, permanent wood foundations and
residential construction , decking and fencing.

The methods of applying preservatives are:

a. Pressure treatment. Consists in placing the wood in cylinders into which the preservative is pumped under
pressure.
b. Hot and Cold method. This consists first in placing the wood in a bath of hot preservative for an hour or more.
It is then withdrawn quickly placed in a bath of cold presevative. This is generally used for creosote preservative
c. Dipping or immersing the wood in a hot preservative for a short time
d. Brushing.

TYPES OF WOOD

Hardwoods

Oak- An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus of the beech family, Fagaceae. There are approximately 600
extant species of oaks.Oak is the most widely used hardwood. There are more than 60 species of oak grown in
the U.S., which can be separated into two basic varieties; white and red. The red variety is also known as black
oak.
Properties:

Oak is a heavy, strong, light colored hardwood. It is ring porous, due to the fact that more and larger conductive
vessels are laid down early in the summer, rather than later. Prominent rings and large pores give oak a course
texture and prominent grain. Oak also has conspicuous modularly rays which can be seen as "flakes" in quarter
sawed oak lumber.

Cherry - Cherry is grown in the Eastern half of the U.S.. It is sometimes called fruitwood. The term fruitwood is
also used to describe a light brown finish on other woods.

Properties: A moderately hard, strong, closed grain, light to red-brown wood, cherry resists warping and
checking. It is easy to carve and polish.
Walnut: Walnut is one of the most versatile and popular cabinet making woods.

Properties: Walnut is strong, hard and durable, without being excessively heavy. It has excellent woodworking
qualities, and takes finishes well. The wood is light to dark chocolate brown in color with a straight grain in the
trunk. Wavy grain is present toward the roots, and walnut stumps are often dug out and used as a source of
highly figured veneer. Large burls are common. Walnut solids and veneers show a wide range of figures,
including strips, burls, mottles, crotches, curls and butts. European walnut is lighter in color and slightly finer in
texture than American black walnut, but otherwise comparable.

Maple - There are approximately 128 species, most of which are native to Asia, with a number also appearing in
Europe, northern Africa, and North America. Only one specie

Properties: Maple is so hard and resistant to shocks that it is often used for bowling alley floors. Its diffuse
evenly sized pores give the wood a fine texture and even grain. Maple that has a curly grain is often used for
violin backs (the pattern formed is known as fiddle back figure). Burls, leaf figure, and birds-eye figures found
in maple are used extensively for veneers. The Birds eye figure in maple is said to be the result of stunted growth
and is quite rare.
Softwoods
Pine: Pine is softwood which grows in most areas of the Northern Hemisphere. There are more than 100 species
worldwide.
Properties: Pine is a soft, white or pale yellow wood which is light weight, straight grained and lacks figure. It
resists shrinking and swelling. Knotty pine is often used for decorative effect.

Ash -There are 16 species of ash which grow in the eastern United States. Of these, the white ash is the largest
and most commercially important.

Properties: Ash is a hard, heavy, ring porous hardwood. It has a prominent grain that resembles oak, and a white
to light brown color. Ash can is differentiated from hickory (pecan) which it also resembles, by white dots in the
darker summerwood which can be seen with the naked eye. Ash burls have a twisted, interwoven figure.

Cedar: comes from several different trees known as cedars that grow in different parts of the world, and may
have different uses. Cedar wood has remarkable dimensional stability. This means the wood doesn't change its
size or dimension despite weather, humidity or temperature conditions. Many types of wood will warp when
subjected to moisture, but cedar stays straight and flat which makes it perfect for house siding. Many clear cedar
wood products can be stained and painted and not lose their beautiful grained appearance. Cedar siding too if
painted expertly under the correct conditions, will retain the grain texture with a color that pleases the
homeowner.

Cedar is a light, porous type of wood. This gives it a high insulating value perfect for use as a home siding
product. The porous wood also allows it to absorb noise. This can be beneficial when used as fencing or siding.
These are two more reasons why cedar siding is in such high demand. It is also an elegant and prestigious type
of house finishing product that lasts a long time. Cedar stands up to moisture, resisting rot and resisting insect
damage better than other woods.
Cedar is used in many building products including; siding, decking, fencing, shingles, gazebos, sheds, doors,
windows, blinds, shutters, and garden planters. As a decking lumber, cedar compares favorably to pine and
spruce, yet still cannot achieve the durability and maintenance free ease that composite decking offers. Cedar
products can be left with out a finish or paint applied, however it will need periodic maintenance. In some cases,
homeowners want their cedar building products to be stained or painted in order to match their home's decor.
 Beech: The beech is most widespread in Central and Western Europe, although it can be found as shrub or tree
between the 40th and 60th degrees of latitude. Of all deciduous trees in Germany, the beech is most widespread
and its timber most useful. Beech can found in mixed woodlands as well as in beech woods particularly in
lowlands but also in low mountainous regions. Beech trees can grow to 300 years or more, although trees of
between 100 and 140 years old are typically felled. They can reach a height of 30 to 35 metres.

Beech belong to the family of heartwood trees. Sap and heartwood have an even pale yellow to reddish-white
colouring, red-brown when steam-treated. The wood has an even fine-pored structure without noticeable
markings. Older trees (over 80 years old) can develop a reddish core of irregular colour intensity and shape.
Properties
Beech wood is medium to heavyweight. It is very hard and tough. It has good strength properties and high
abrasion resistance.
Beech can shrink considerably and is subject to movement more than other woods. It should not be subject to
moisture fluctuations before or during working.

Usage
Despite its hardness, beech wood can be worked easily. It can be cut, planed, drilled and milled. When steam-
treated it is well-suited, like the ash, to bending into form.

Surface finishing is straightforward. It can be stained, painted and polished. As compensation for its low
durability it is well suited for impregnation.

Birch: A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus Betula in the family Betulaceae, which
also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams. It is closely related to the beech-oak family Fagaceae. The genus
Betula contains 30 to 60 known taxa of which 11 are on the IUCN 2011 Green List of Threatened Species. They
are a typically rather short-lived pioneer species widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in northern
temperate and boreal climates.
TROPICAL HARDWOODS
Mahogany : Mahogany, also known as Honduras mahogany is a tropical hardwood indigenous to South
America, Central America and Africa. There are many different grades and species sold under this name, which
vary widely in quality and price. Mahogany which comes from the Caribbean is thought to be the hardest,
strongest and best quality. Logs from Africa, though highly figured, are of slightly lesser quality. Philippine
mahogany has a similar color, but is not really mahogany at all. It is a much less valuable wood, being less
strong, not as durable or as beautiful when finished.
Properties: Mahogany is strong, with a uniform pore structure and poorly defined annual rings. It has a reddish -
brown color and may display stripe, ribbon, broken stripe, rope, ripple, and mottle, fiddle back or blister figures.
Crotch mahogany figures are widely used and greatly valued. Mahogany is an excellent carving wood and
finishes well.

Teak : is a tropical hardwood species placed in the family Lamiaceae.ectona grandis is a large, deciduous tree
that occurs in mixed hardwood forests. It has small, fragrant white flowers and papery leaves that are often hairy
on the lower surface. It is sometimes known as the "Burmese teak". Teak wood has a leather-like smell when it is
freshly milled. It is particularly valued for its durability and water resistance, and is used for boat building,
exterior construction, veneer, furniture, carving, turnings, and other small wood projects.
Ebony: is a dense black hardwood, most commonly yielded by several different species in the genus Diospyros,
which also contains the persimmons.Ebonyis dense enough to sink in water. It is finely-textured and has a very
smooth finish when polished, making it valuable as an ornamental wood.

Rosewood: refers to any of a number of richly hued timbers, often brownish with darker veining but found in
many different hues. Rosewood is an elegant species of exotic wood. With it's deep, rich, warm tones
it carves well, but because of its high value, is often used as a veneer. Scandinavian modern and oriental
furniture styles are often crafted of teak.

Narra:
Narra has good weathering characteristics and is typically very durable regarding decay resistance. It is generally
resistant to termite and powder post beetle attack, though there can occasionally be ambrosia beetles present,
especially in the sapwood.