BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

AND MATERIALS-4

SEASONING OF TIMBER

SUBMITTED TO- SUBMITTED BY-

DR. ANIKET SHARMA AMIT KUMAR - 15619
TIMBER SEASONING
Timber seasoning is the process of drying the timber out to bring it to a
usable and workable condition. More than half the weight of freshly cut
timber consists of moisture or sap. Before the timber can be used a large part
of the moisture must be removed.
REASONS FOR SEASONING

To prevent shrinkage, splitting, checking and warping.

To achieve greater stiffness and strength.
To allow penetration of preservatives.
To obtain a surface that will accept paint, polish or glue.
To protect against decay.
MOISTURE CONTENT

Water is stored in wood in two main forms:

As free water in the vessels and/or cells, used to move nutrients within the
tree.
As cell bound water, which is an integral part of the cell walls.
EFFECTS OF SEASONING

Initial seasoning first removes the free water contained from within the cells
to a moisture content of 25 to 35 percent.
With further seasoning the combined moisture within the walls of the cells
begins to dry out and the cells and timber begin to shrink, so this part of the
process must be carried out with careful control over drying rate.
The equilibrium moisture content (EMC) is the moisture content at which the
wood is neither gaining nor losing moisture, usually 12-15%
METHODS OF SEASONING
AIR SEASONING:
The timber is stacked on foundations to keep it off the ground. Strips of wood
(about 38 x 19 mm) are placed between the layers of boards to allow air to
circulate. Ends of boards may be painted to retard drying and prevent
splitting. A waterproof covering is placed over the stack to protect the timber
from the sun and the weather. Air seasoning is slow, taking up to a year for a
piece 25 mm thick and considerably longer for thicker pieces. But the timber
produced is well suited to outdoor work.
METHODS OF SEASONING
KILN SEASONING:
Kiln seasoning is done in a large oven-like structure in which air circulation, humidity and
temperatures are controlled. The timber is stacked on the trucks in the same way as for air
drying. The trucks are on rails so that they can be moved into the kiln. Care must be taken to
see that the drying process while removing the free water is not too rapid, as at this stage the
timber is susceptible to degrade by checking and collapse. Many types of softwood, such as
Pine, can be kiln dried easily and fairly cheaply from the green condition. But many of the
Australian hardwoods are so slow in drying that their kiln drying is uneconomical. It is, however,
satisfactory and economic to season them by the combined process of air and kiln drying
mentioned below.
TYPES OF SEASONING KILNS
COMPARTMENT KILN:
Circulation is induced by fans
forcing air over heating coils
and humidifying sprays and
through the timber stack.
The fans are reversible to
allow uniform seasoning on
each side of the stack.
Kiln conditions are uniform
and can be regulated to suit
the stage of seasoning.
PROGRESSIVE KILNS
 PROGRESSIVE KILNS

In this type of kiln the conditions at one end of the kiln differ from those at the other end.
An unbroken line of trucks, all at different stages of drying, extends through the kiln. As a truck of green timber
enters at the cool, moist end, another is removed from the hot, dry end ready for use; the drying process is
continuous.
Heated air is circulated by fans along the kiln from the hotter and drier end to the cooler and moister end. As it
passes through the timber it gradually cools and picks up moisture, thus, the drying conditions at the greener
end are less than those at the dry end.
 COMBINED SEASONING

The timber is first air dried for several months, the actual time depending on the species of timber,
thickness and climate. The slow air drying, until the free moisture has been removed . It reduces the
tendency to degrade by warping, checking and collapsing.
The timber is then kiln dried to remove the combined moisture from the cell walls to the required moisture
content. This can be done rapidly in several days to a week or so.
 ADVANTAGES OF KILN DRYING

Kiln drying permits drying to the exact M.C. required, which may be much less than that of air dried timber.
The carefully controlled conditions can minimise degrade seasoning defects which occur while drying.
The heating of the timber while in the kiln kills eggs, larvae and adult borers which may be present in the wood.
Although capital costs may be higher, greater turnover is possible by reductions in drying time, and less timber
yard storage space required.
 PRESERVATION OF TIMBER

Tar
Paints
Chemical Salt
Creosote
ASCO
 TAR

Hot coal tar is applied to timber with brush. The coating of tar protects the timber from the attack of fungi and
insects. It is a cheapest way of protecting timber. Main disadvantage of this
method of preservation is that appearance is not good after tar is applied it is not possible to apply other
attractive paints. Hence tarring is made only for the unimportant structures like fence poles.
PAINTS

Two to three coats of oil paints are applied on clean surface of wood. The
paint protects the timber from moisture. The paint is to be applied from time
to time. Paint improves the
appearance of the timber. Solignum paint is a special paint which protects the
timber from the attack of termites.
CHEMICAL SALT

These are the preservatives made by dissolving salts in water. The salts used
are copper sulphate, masonry chloride, zinc chloride and sodium fluoride.
After treating the timber with
these chemical salt paints and varnishes can be applied to get good
appearance.
CREOSOTE

Creosote oil is obtained by distillation of coal tar. The seasoned timber is kept
in an air tight chamber and air is exhausted. Then creosote oil is pumped into
the chamber at a pressure of
0.8 to 1.0 N/mm2 at a temperature of 50C. After 1 to 2 hours timber is
taken out of the chamber.
ASCO

This preservative is developed by the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. It

consists of 1 part by weight of hydrated arsenic pentoxide (As2O5, 2 H2O), 3
parts by weight of copper sulphate
(CuSO45 H2O) and 4 parts by weight of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) or
sodium dichromate (Na2Cr2O72 H2O). This preservative is available in
powder form. By mixing six parts of this powder with 100 parts of water, the
solution is prepared. The solution is then sprayed over the surface of timber.
This treatment prevents attack from termites. The surface may be painted to
get desired appearance.