Construction Material Selection Criteria
Construction Material Selection Criteria
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. 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).
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
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
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
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
Tables
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.
Figures
Source: The Log Home Council, National Association of Home Builders, Washington, D.C
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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.
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.
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]