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MCQs on Timber And Wood Products – Set 3

15 questions. Tap an option to check it instantly, then read the solution.

Question 1Hard
According to IS 287: 1993, in classifying timber, the average annual relative humidity (%) of Zone IV region of India is more than:
Full explanation

Answer: D. 67

IS 287: 1993 divides India into four zones for the purpose of timber seasoning based on relative humidity. Zone IV represents the regions with the highest humidity, such as coastal areas. For this zone, the average annual relative humidity is specified as being more than 67%.

Question 2Easy
Chemical compounds such as Dichlorodiphenyl trichloro-ethane (DDT) are applied on wood for the prevention of:
Full explanation

Answer: D. Insects

DDT is a powerful insecticide. In the past, it was applied to timber as a preservative to protect it from wood-boring insects like termites and beetles. While its use is now heavily restricted due to environmental concerns, its primary purpose in this context was insect prevention.

Question 3Medium
The timber extracted from felled trees is classified based on the position of the trees as per IS 399 belongs to:
Full explanation

Answer: B. Rough timber

According to IS 399, timber is classified based on its state. Rough timber is the term used for wood that has been obtained after felling a tree. Standing timber refers to living trees, and converted timber is wood that has been sawn into planks, beams, etc.

Question 4Medium
Chip mark, diagonal grain, torn grain and wane are the defects in timber due to:
Full explanation

Answer: B. Conversion

These defects are introduced during the process of conversion, which is the sawing of logs into usable timber sections like planks and beams. Chip marks are caused by tools, torn grain by improper sawing, diagonal grain by incorrect alignment of the log, and wane is the presence of the original rounded surface on a piece of sawn timber.

Question 5Easy
The purpose of fire proofing of timber is to:
Full explanation

Answer: D. Make it difficult to ignite and support its own combustion

Fire-proofing treatments for timber do not make it completely incombustible. Instead, their purpose is to chemically alter the wood so that it becomes difficult to ignite and will not support its own combustion. The treatment creates a char layer or releases non-flammable gases when heated, which inhibits the spread of fire.

Question 6Medium
Which of the following wood defect (s) develop(s) when a tree grows rapidly?
1. Coarser grain
2. Widened annular rings
3. Lesser strength
Full explanation

Answer: C. 1, 2 and 3

When a tree grows too rapidly, the wood it produces is less dense. This results in widened annular rings and a coarser grain. Because the wood is less dense, it also has lesser strength compared to timber from a slow-growing tree of the same species. Therefore, all three are consequences of rapid growth.

Question 7Easy
Which of the following is correct about plywood?
Full explanation

Answer: D. Three or more veneers in odd numbers are placed one above the other with the direction of grains of successive layers at right angles to each other.

This statement accurately describes the fundamental construction of plywood. It is always made with an odd number of veneers (3, 5, 7, etc.) so that the grain direction of the top and bottom layers is the same, providing stability. The key to its strength is that the grain of each successive layer is oriented at a right angle (90 degrees) to the previous one.

Question 8Easy
The inner annual rings surrounding the central portion or core of a tree is _______.
Full explanation

Answer: C. Heart wood

The heartwood is the dense, dark, and non-living central core of a tree trunk. It is composed of the older, inner annual rings and provides the primary structural support. It surrounds the very center, which is the pith.

Question 9Medium
What is the grade of timber as per timber grading (IS 399), if the modulus of elasticity in bending is between 5.6 to 9.8 kN/mm²?
Full explanation

Answer: C. Grade C

As per IS 399, structural timber is graded based on its modulus of elasticity (E). The range of 5.6 to 9.8 kN/mm² falls under the classification for Grade C timber, which is suitable for applications with lower strength requirements.

Question 10Easy
The process by which timber is cut and sawn into sections is called:
Full explanation

Answer: B. Conversion of timber

Conversion of timber is the process of sawing a felled log into usable commercial sizes like planks, boards, and beams. Felling is the act of cutting the tree down, seasoning is the drying process, and preservation is the treatment to protect it from decay.

Question 11Hard
What is the standard size of wood specimen for testing durability?
Full explanation

Answer: B. 600×50×50 mm

The standard size for timber specimens used in durability tests, such as the "graveyard test" where timber is exposed to natural decay conditions, is specified in Indian Standards as 600 mm × 50 mm × 50 mm.

Question 12Medium
__________ are longitudinal cracks in wood which is usually normal to the annual rings.
Full explanation

Answer: B. Checks

Checks are longitudinal cracks that form across the annual rings, typically caused by uneven drying during seasoning. Shakes, on the other hand, are cracks that run parallel to the annual rings.

Question 13Medium
In which of the following case Bethel process is used?
Full explanation

Answer: D. Treatment of timber

The Bethel process is a full-cell pressure treatment method used for the preservation of timber. It involves placing timber in a sealed cylinder, applying a vacuum to remove air, and then forcing a preservative liquid (like creosote) deep into the wood under high pressure.

Question 14Medium
Which one of the following treatment is used to make the timber fire resistance?
Full explanation

Answer: A. Abel's process

Abel's process is a specific method for making timber fire-resistant. It involves treating the wood with a solution of sodium silicate (water glass) followed by a treatment with calcium chloride, which forms an incombustible layer on the wood's surface.

Question 15Easy
Which of the following is the main advantage of the plywood?
Full explanation

Answer: C. Tensile strength is same in all directions

The primary advantage of plywood's cross-laminated construction is that it distributes strength more evenly. Unlike solid wood, which is much stronger along the grain, plywood has nearly equal tensile strength in all directions, making it highly resistant to splitting and dimensionally stable.