TIMBER TECHNOLOGY

IN ADVANCED
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
By:
Shailendra Patil
BA07ARC034

INNOVATIONS IN THE DESIGN OF TIMBER STRUCTURES

Technical mechanics studies the problems of the behaviour of materials which are
influenced by external forces. Besides, the following characteristics are usually ascribed to the material:
Ideal elasticity regardless of the external forces intensity, temperature and the
protraction of external loading action.
Material has the same composition in all its points - it is ideally homogenous both before and after forces
input (there is a continuum of media).
Complete isotropy (material has the same mechanical characteristics in all directions). Basically, timber as a
material, in a mechanical sense, does not come up to any of these criteria. Timber is a quasi-elastic material
because complete stress and deformation linearity does not exist. The development of dilatations-sliping also
depends on the intensity of forces, on loading duration, on temperature and on moisture content.
Timber is a non-homogenous material composed of several elastic and amorphous elements, which are often
full of cracks, and with many cavities filled with water or air. Timber is an entirely an-isotropic material because
it has different mechanical characteristics in different directions. Timber structures are, in technical standards,
calculated following the principles of technical mechanics, but the effect of anisotropy and non-homogeneity,
and even non elasticity, is encompassed with appropriate factors, that is the following are taken into account:
Moisture content and temperature,
Duration of load,
Timber yield,
Material and geometrical imperfection,
Anisotropy direction,
Various of mass density, and the like.
TIMBER AS A RESISTANCE MATERIAL
In current civil engineering practice, besides traditionally classical timber structures (consisting of solid timber
elements), modern timber structures, whose elements are obtained in industrial procedures, are very important.
The development of modern technology brought about new timber-based composite materials, with superior
mechanical, physical and chemical characteristics. These are glued laminated elements, various timber-based
panel materials obtained through special technology procedures, as well as elements obtained by
combining different materials (timber, metal, concrete, etc). Composite structures, such as composites timbertimber, timber-steel, timber-concrete, and reinforced and pre-strained timber structures, belong to a special
group.
Products obtained by mechanical processing of tree trunks constitute solid timber. Depending on the type of
mechanical processing, solid timber can be:
Rounded solid timber or rounded timber material obtained with no special mechanical processing, without the
bark. Rounded tree bulk is measured crossways at the middle of its length.
Half-rounded solid timber or half-rounded timber material obtained by partial
processing of rounded timber, in these ways:
if the round log is trimmed on one side only (flich),
if it is trimmed on two sides (planson), and
if it is trimmed on three sides (wenches).
Hewn solid timber or hewn timber material is sharp-edged material obtained by
sawing the tree trunk into the wanted shape.

 Sawn solid timber or sawn timber material is sharp-edged material obtained by sawing the tree trunk. Sawn
materials used in practice, are: boards, laths, planks and beams. Boards with maximum width of 20 cm, beams
with the smaller side longer than 10 cm, and small beams whose larger side section is more than 10 cm are used
as supporting structure elements. In compliance with existing standards, solid timber for resistancing
constructions is divided into three quality classes (class I-large carrying capacity material, class II-medium
carrying capacity material, and class III-small carrying capacity material). Coniferous timber material is divided
into three, and hard grown material into two quality classes.
Timber-based panel products are products obtained through special technological
procedures where timber is used as the basic material. In civil engineering practice, the following are used:
veneer boards or plywood boards made from veneer with crossed fibers,
fiber boards made from timber fibers, and
chipboards made from timber splinters.
Glued laminated elements are obtained in special technological procedures by gluing lamellas from special
processed boards. Laminated material is most often class I and II coniferous material, and less often oak or
beech. During the processing procedure, material humidity is 15%. Laminated elements most often have a
rectangular cross section (whose width is 8-20 cm), and rarely chest-like or a "T" section. Maximum lamella
thickness is 32 mm. Glue thickness is not more than 0,2 mm. Lamella maximum width is 200 mm. Lamellas are
glued with water-resistant glue under pressure of 50-80 N/cm2. Depending on technological possibilities, glued
laminated element height is 2200 mm or 1800 mm. In practice, the relationship between laminated element
cross section height and width is from 4 to 10, although it is possible to apply the section with side relationship
from 15 to 20. Transporting and assembling conditions determine laminated element length, and it is not more
than 40m. Curved girders are determined
with a rectangle of 440 m. In laminated elements various class timber can be applied, depending on the redistribution of stress, i.e. movements. Laminating process also enables the processing of reinforced sections,
and also pre- stressed girders.
Traditional woodworking joints
Butt joint; the end of a piece of wood is butted against another piece of wood. This is the simplest and
weakest joint.
Miter joint; similar to a butt joint, but both pieces have been cut at a 45 degree angle.

Lap joints; one piece of wood will overlap another.

Box joint, also called a finger joint, used for the corners of boxes. It involves several lap joints at the
ends of two boards.

Dovetail joint; a form of box joint where the fingers are locked together by diagonal cuts.

Edge joint; the edges of two boards are joined.

Dado joint; a slot is cut across the grain in one piece for another piece to set into; shelves on a bookshelf
having slots cut into the sides of the shelf, for example.

Groover joint; the slot is cut with the grain.

Tongue and groove. Each piece has a groove cut all along one edge, and a thin, deep ridge (the tongue)
on the opposite edge. If the tongue is unattached, it is considered a spline joint.

Mortise and tenon; a stub (the tenon) will fit tightly into a hole cut for it (the mortise). This is a hallmark
of Mission Style furniture, and also the traditional method of jointing frame and panel members in
doors, windows, and cabinets.

Birdsmouth joint [1] is used in roof construction. A V-shaped cut in the rafter connects the rafter to the
wall-plate

Materials used for joining

Metal plates are often incorporated into the design where the timber alone would not be strong enough for a
given load.

Joints can be designed to hold without the use of glue or fasteners; a pinned mortise and tenon is an
example of this.
Glue is highly effective for joining wood when both surfaces of the joint are edge grain. A properly
glued joint may be as strong or stronger than a single piece of wood. However, glue is notably less
effective on end-grain surfaces. Animal glue is soluble in water, producing joints that can be
disassembled using steam to soften the glue.

Various mechanical fasteners may be used, the simplest

being nails and screws. Glue and fasteners can be used
together.

Bowstring Truss
A roof truss that has the top chord in the form of a circular or
sometimes a parabolic arc. Know to be economical over
large spans.
In the photo above we are looking at quite flat bowstrings that have
a curved top chord. These trusses are spanning about 18M. They are
made up on site from prefabricated kits using lightweight MS angles
flat and plate connectors. Bolted together to form trusses. Top chords
can also be segmented straight sections as seen in the lower sketch.
Bottom chords are usually slightly cambered. The author has
experience working with a timber engineering company that made
trusses up to 100ft. span using laminated softwood. The bottom
chords had a camber of around 1" every 10ft. At that time, (in the

early 1960's) prior to the advent of cheap

steel systems, these timber bowstrings were
the most economical way of clear span
roofing sheds and warehouses.

Portal frames
Portal frames are the most commonly used
structural forms for single-storey
industrial structures. They are constructed
mainly using hot-rolled sections, supporting

the roofing and side cladding via cold-formed purlins and sheeting rails. They may also be composed of tapered
stanchions and rafters fabricated from plate elements. Portal frames of lattice members made of angles or tubes
are also common, especially in the case of longer spans.
\LAMELLA ROOF
Lamella roofing system: Structure types:

Swimming pools
Cinema halls
Exhibition halls
Aero plane hangars
Auditoria:- multipurpose type

Lamella Roof:

It is a long span structural roofing system using good quality SLT.

Due to tremendous cost of timber, such structures are rarely seen
Joints are not rigid. If rise is more than 45 a bubble movement will generate.
Halls and wheeled trolleys with platform and scaffolding angle between lamella are kept at 38 and
marked with paints. Initially bolts are passed and tightened partially. After the roof gets settled down, the
bolts are tightened properly; the arch action of the roof is resisted by buttresses or by providing a net
wall. Fixing on wall requires plate
All joints are hinged (flexible). Arch should be of low rise there should be no vibrations. Segmented
arch is formed by joining lamella.

Advantages of Lamella Roofing System

Does not require any type of support

Simple preferred ceiling is available vision
Large span timber structure can be constructed without walls can serve as
Airplane hangers
Glass can be fixed on the top and can be used for nurseries to achieve greenhouse effect
Multipurpose halls and Theatres, Indoor pools can be constructed
In cases of fire, it does not resist easily the charred pieces remain in position, due to arch action
Steel can be used instead of timber for lamellas

Disadvantages of Lamella Roofing Structures

Very special type of formwork is required hence though useful it is not usually provided
A.C. sheets have a very rigid shape and hence cannot be used. thick planks in the form of boarding is
to be provided to hold the roofing material

Roofing:

Can be of different material such as asphalted sheets, plastic sheets, galvanized plain sheets; these sheets
have to be supported by boards
10 mm thick marine plywood is preferred.
They are flexible and can be of shape of the roof. The joints are to be finished by rubber or asphalted
compounds.
Fixing of plywood by nailing. It offers rigidity.

Uniform coat of tar is required. Metal/wood roof cover and asphalt felt is led on it. Surface is to be oil
painted white or silver.