186

Table 6.7 Modification factor K12 for compression members (Based on

not for design purposes)
E Ratio of effective length to breadth (rectangular sections)
Gr. stress
1 . 4
3.0 6.0 12.0 18.0 24.0 30.0 36.0 42.0 48.0
600 0.97 0.95 0.90 0.77 0.58
0.41 0.29 0.21 0.16 0.13
800 0.97 0.95 0.90 0.78 0.63 0.48 0.36 0.26 0.21 0.16
1000 0.98 0.95 0.90 0.79 0.66 0.52
0.41
0.30 0.24 0.19
1200 0.98 0.95 0.90 0.80 0.68 0.56 0.44 0.34 0.27 0.22
1400 0.98 0.95 0.90 0.80 0.69 0.58 0.47 0.37 0.30 0.24
1600 0.98 0.95 0.90 0.81 0.70 0.60
0.49 0.40 0.32 0.27
1800 0.98 0.95 0.90 0.81 0.71 0.61 0.51 0.42 0.34 0.29
2000' 0.98 0.95 0.90 0.81 0.71 0.62 0.52
0.44
0.36 0.31
Timber products
Timber products may offer the following advantages over solid timber:
They are competitive in price on account of lower wastage rates; small
sections of the tree, together with defective pieces and off-cuts which
not suitable for solid timber are often perfectly acceptable for timh
products.
Products can be produced in much larger sizes than could be obtained
solid timber - for example, sheets or long lengths.
Defects associated with solid timber can be removed or made I
significant.
Weaknesses and distortion associated with grain can be at least partl
overcome.
Areas in which timber products could cause problems are:
The product can only be as good as the adhesive used in its productio
Some products deteriorate quickly in damp conditions, as might preva
on a building site during construction, or in areas such as kitchens o
bathrooms.
Some adhesives increase wear and tear on cutting tools used f
processing products.
Some timber products are not as aesthetically attractive as their soli
timber counterparts.
Table 6.8 shows some of the timber products available together with main
characteristics and areas for caution. They are widely used in construction,
with materials such as particle board tending to displace others such a
plywood since they can be made with lower grade raw material: BS 566
187
Properties and applications of some timber products
Subdivision
Composition
Applications
Possible
problems
Standard
hardboard
Highly compressed
wood fibres; one
smooth surface
Low cost internal
linings; door skins
Swells in damp
situations
Oil impregnated
External claddings
Risk of damage
Oil tempered
by impact
hardboard
Lower density
Internal linings
Protect from
Medium board
moisture
than hardboards
Higher strength
Decorative
Protect from
Medium density
moisture
fibreboard (MDF)
than medium board
mouldings
Compressed wood
Internal claddings
Irreversible
t 1 1 1 1 1 '
Standard grade
expansion in
"",IN
chipboard
chips; dense
dampcond.
t '()69 Type I
surfaces
Higher strength
Internal floors
As above
Flooring grade
Type 2
Moisture-resistant
Water resistant
Kitchens/bathrooms
flooring grade
Type2/3
II wood
Shutter ply
Crossed coarse
Formwork for concrete. Limited re-use;
I hS66
veneers; water-
Carcassing in timber
proof adhesive
frame construction
Quality veneers
External linings, e.g.
Good veneers
Birch ply
waterproof adhesive
soffit boards
are expensive
45 mm laminates,
Large section straight
Protect from
Ilhtlum Straight
structural members
rain and sun
II, 4169
high-performance
adhesives
Approx. 20 mm
Curved members;
As above
Curved
laminates
portal frames

!lOW includes a specification for the structural use of chiP~art So;e o~~e~
materials have recently been introduced - for example, 'w er .oar d w lC
('omprises thin slices of wood bonded together; and LVL (lammate venee~
lumbar) which comprises strips of wood bonded together to ~ormstructura
. t' s When the benefits of cost and performance are mcluded, such
Izesec Ion. . .
materials have adistinct advantage over sohd equivalents.