Case Study

In one of the nousing Projects, the doors and windows were provided with 'Jungle wood' called country wood (Not teak wood). The door shutters provided are of panelled and battened as shown in Figure.

Observations

Merits 

1. Economical because of jungle wood and thin sections of timber used. 
2. Durable, being a timber as compared to particle boards and fibre boards. 
3.  Good appearance because of battens and grooves. 

Demerits 

1. Being a Jungle wood and thin section adopted all battens warped and joints shmnk giving through and through gaps in joints. 
2. Unsafe as all the battens. warped and gaps developed. 
3. Due to warping, shutters could not be closed properly and thereby tower bolts, locking bolts could not be bolted. 
4. Shutters became practically impossible to use. 

Rectifications/Repairs Done 

The shooters were removed and all the battens separated. The battens which could not be repaired due to their warping, twisting are replaced with new battens. The battens which could he straightened are reused after the following rectification work. 

"The battens were soaked in required quantity of chemicals like ASCU and then seasoned. While seasoning the battens were kept on leveled surface and loaded them with sufficient weight for 2-3 weeks. After the release of weights, the battens found to be slaughter. Then the same were reused and shutters fixed. All the shutters are fairly satisfactory." 

Suggestions 

1. It is very important to keep in view that the thickens of battens for panels shall not be less than 20 mm as the lesser thickness of jungle wood warps very fast. 
2. It should be ensured that the timber before use is properly seasoned, chemically treated. 
3. Decayed timber should not be used. 
4. Timber having too many knots should not be used. 
5. Warped timber members should not be used as they will be subjected to further warping. 

Timber shall be stored away from damp wall and damp earth. Place stones or concrete blocks on damp earth and place the timber over stones/blocks to avoid absorption of moisture by timber from damp earth. Also keep the timber atleast 300mm away from damp walls. 

1. Avoid use of sap and unseasoned wood. Any amount of repairs for such wood will not yield any good results. 
2. By adopting proper seasoning method, defects like bow, cup, twist, etc. can be minimised. 
3. Timber having large knots of diameter greater than 40mm is weak.  Continuity of wood timbres is broken.  Thus the member will be weak. 
4. Timber shall be chemically treated both while kiln seasoning as well as at site of work by dipping the wood in a tank filled with required chemicals. 
5. The timber called Industrial timber which is manufactured scientifically in a factory and such timber possessors desired shape, appearance, strength, etc. are now-a-days in much use. They are veneers, plywood, fibre boards, particle boards, straw boards, etc.  These industrial timber does not normally require any repairs of defects except carpentry repairs as these are manufactured scientifically in a factory, keeping in view the defects, chemical treatment, etc.