EPiC database - Softwood

This material is part of the free Environmental Performance in Construction (EPiC) Database. The EPiC Database contains embodied environmental flow coefficients for 250+ construction materials using a comprehensive hybrid life cycle inventory approach.Timber comes in a wide range of varieties and sizes. It is used for structural and non-structural purposes, and can vary significantly in density, grain texture, workability, usage and cost. It is lightweight, easy to handle and transport, and has a good strength to weight ratio. It is typically divided into softwood varieties, such as Pine, Cypress and Spruce and hardwood varieties such as Victorian Ash, Blackbutt and Oak. The term hardwood and softwood is a botanical distinction, and not an indication of timber strength or density. The density of timber is highly dependent on the species, varying from 120 kg/m³ to 1 300 kg/m³ or higher.Softwood generally has a lower density and better workability than hardwood varieties. It is comparably cheap due to the fast growing nature of many softwood plantation varieties. It is widely used for timber framing purposes, feature walls, door and windows. Commercial timber products are typically kiln, or air-dried. Kiln/oven drying is done in a controlled environment over a relatively short time period. It produces a uniformly dried, high quality product that generally kills any fungi and insects in the wood. Air-drying is done over extended periods of time, and does not require any fuel inputs. It is cost effective, but needs to be carefully managed to reduce cracking and ensure consistent drying.

本资料属于开放获取的建筑工程环境性能（EPiC）数据库的一部分。该数据库收录了超过250种建筑材料的环境流系数，采用了一种全面的混合生命周期清单方法进行计算。木材品种繁多，尺寸各异，既适用于结构用途，也适用于非结构用途，其在密度、纹理、加工性能、用途和成本方面存在显著差异。木材质地轻便，易于处理和运输，且具备良好的强度与重量比。木材通常分为软木和硬木两大类，如松木、柏木和云杉等软木品种，以及维多利亚山毛榉、黑butt木和橡木等硬木品种。硬木与软木的区分属于植物学范畴，并不代表木材的强度或密度。木材的密度高度依赖于树种，其密度范围从120千克/立方米到1300千克/立方米或更高。软木的密度通常低于硬木品种，且加工性能更佳。由于许多软木种植品种生长迅速，其价格相对较低。木材广泛应用于木材框架、特色墙、门和窗户等建筑用途。商业木材产品通常经过窑干或自然干燥处理。窑干或烘干过程在相对较短的时间内于受控环境中进行，能够生产出均匀干燥、高质量的产品，一般能够杀死木材中的真菌和昆虫。自然干燥过程需要较长时间，且不消耗任何燃料。虽然成本效益高，但需精心管理以减少开裂并确保干燥的一致性。