Directorate: Curriculum FET

SUBJECT and Civil Technology (Woodworking) Grade 10

GRADE
TERM 1 Week 4
TOPIC MATERIALS GENERIC
AIMS OF LESSON Application and uses of the following: timber hard wood, soft wood, board products, clay and cement.
RESOURCES Paper based resources Digital resources
Pages 35-38 of your https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDF5_1KjWzE
textbook Chapter 2

INTRODUCTION The timber that is used in the building industry is available as solid wood or converted timber (board products).
Solid wood can be divided into two classes, namely softwood and hardwood.
CONCEPTS AND THE BASIC PROPERTIES OF TIMBER
SKILLS
BASIC PROPERTIES
MATERIAL
CAN YOU ? Colour Grain/texture Workability
Saligna – hardwood • Reddish brown. • Fine, straight, • Easy to work, using hand or
Describe and
even grain. power tools.
discuss the
• Very hard. • Inclined to split when nailed.
application • Provides quality finish.
and uses of • Polishes easily.
the following:
timber hard
wood, soft
wood, board
Meranti-Hardwood • Yellowish to • Fairly open, • Easy to work, using hand and
products, clay Reddish brown. straight grain. power tools.
and cement. • Inclined to • Easy to finish using oil or varnish.
warp.
 SOUTH AFRICAN PINE • White to light • Fairly hard. • Nails driven in with ease.
(SA PINE) –SOFTWOOD brown. • Tough. • Easy to paint.
• Resinous. • Easy to varnish.
• Easy to work, using hand and
power tools.
• Jointed pieces adhere well.

Board products
Board products are manufactured by processing wood. Due to the rising cost of solid or conventional wood,
board products, such as plywood, hardboard, etc., are more generally used in construction these days.

The basic properties of board products.

MATERIAL BASIC PROPERTIES
SHUTTER BOARD • Smooth surface.
(SHUTTERING) • Is strong and waterproof due to the phenolic glue used in the manufacturing
process.
• Excellent release properties.
• Dimensions of 2 440 mm × 1 220 mm × 15 mm/18 mm are ideally suited for all types
of formwork, even complex casings.
• Can be processed using hand or electrical woodworking tools.

PLYWOOD • Stronger than solid wood of the same thickness.

• Equally strong across the length and width, because the grain direction of one ply
is diagonal relative to adjacent plies.
• Ideal for constructing curves or arches.
• Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
• Ideal for building boats.
• It does not split when nails and screws are driven in close to the edges.
• Workable without difficulties.
BLOCK BOARD • Durability of the 25-mm, square pine strips can be improved by applying paint,
veneer or varnish on both sides.
• Lightweight
• Easy to work with using ordinary tools.
• Excellent ability to hold nails and screws because of better holding-ability.
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
 Tempered and standard • Tempered hardboard is harder and darker than standard hardboard.
Hardboard (masonite) • Tempered hardboard provides excellent resistance to:
• Wear and tear/Temperature changes/Moisture
• Hardboard is ideally suited for a variety of purposes.
• The surface can be painted or varnished.
• The surface can be shaped, patterned or corrugated.
• Hardboard is: Durable/Lightweight/Bendable.

Bricks and blocks

Bricks have been used in construction for centuries and are probably the most versatile and commonly used
material in the building industry. Traditional clay bricks are still very much in demand. However, cement
bricks and blocks have become increasingly popular. Because of this growing demand, prospective builders
need some knowledge regarding the properties of the various types of bricks.

Properties of clay and cement bricks, and concrete blocks

MATERIAL BASIC PROPERTIES
Clay bricks • Various colours and types of bricks are available – depending on the colour and
type of clay used.
• 2½ to 3 times stronger than cement bricks.
• Absorb less water than cement bricks given the same period.
• Can be cut easily.
• Stock (common) bricks are soft and porous.
• Face bricks provide a decorative finish and are harder than common bricks.
• The quality of clay bricks varies, depending on the type of clay used in the
manufacturing process.
• Clay brick constructions are inclined to expand or shrink due to weather conditions
• Cheaper than cement bricks.
• Cavities in bricks allow bricks to dry faster.

Cement bricks • Available in a variety of colours – grey is most used.

• They are not colour fast, however, and will fade in time.
• Cement brick walls can be plastered or left unfinished.
• Edges are less inclined to crumble or break.
• Less likely to suffer damage during transport.
• More porous, thus absorbing 2 to 3 times more moisture than clay bricks over the
same period.
• Cannot be cut using a trowel or brick hammer – cutter, like an angle grinder, is
required.
 Cement hollow blocks • Strong and durable.
• Can have one or more cavities.
• Easy to handle during construction.
• Less material required due to cavities.
• Weight is determined by the size of the cavity.
• Fireproof.
• Can be manufactured with a decorative finish.
• Have adequate strength and stability.
• Cavities in hollow block improve insulating value.
• Brittle and breaks easily because of cavities.
• Inclined to crack due to shrinkage

ACTIVITIES/ Complete activity 2 and 3 on pages 36 and 38.

ASSESSMENT
CONSOLIDATION With this lesson you should have learned the application and uses of wet materials.
Every learner must ensure that they are capable of applying the above knowledge in the workshop.
VALUES By participating in the lesson, you should be able to:
• appreciate the properties of hard-and soft wood as well as board products.
• know the properties of clay-cement bricks and concrete blocks
• Show understanding and appreciation for a clean workshop.