Index page

AUSTRALIAN HARDWOOD AND CYPRESS 1

G U I D E Round Timber – Piles, Poles & Girders

SCOPE Pile size and taper are determined by the
natural features of the tree. The taper results
Round timber is a term applied to all timber
from the natural growth and profile of the tree.
products supplied in log form. It represents one
On average it is in the order of 8mm per lineal
of the most efficient forest resources as
metre, thus a 10m long pile would increase in
minimum processing is required from forest to
diameter by approximately 80mm over its
end product. In many instances it is stronger
length. This taper assists the load carrying
than sawn timber, because as the tree grows,
capacity of the pile compared to straight sided
imperfections such as knots are reinforced by
piles (i.e. extra compaction and friction).
natural fibres which maintain the strength. This
Diameter is determined by the narrower end of
guide describes applications for round timber
the pile which is known as the toe. Standard
products – and in particular, piles and poles.
toe diameters are 180, 210, 230, 280 and
PILES 300mm, but larger or smaller diameters may
also be available. Common lengths are 6.0,
Timber piles have been used around the world 8.0, 9.5, 11.0, 12.5, 14.0, 15.5, 17.0, 18.0,
to support heavy loads for centuries, and are 20.0, 21.5 and 23 metres. Other lengths can
still in use today. Longevity is perhaps best
A P P L I C A T I O N

be supplied, some up to 30 meters.

emphasised by the fact that piles support the
historic city of Venice (circa 1000 A.D.). A Species available for pile usage are Spotted
more contemporary example is the Empire Gum and Blackbutt, but limited quantities of
State Building (New York)①. other available species include: Grey Box,
Grey Gum, Grey Ironbark, Red Ironbark,
Piles are used in commercial, industrial and Messmate, Tallowwood and Turpentine.
domestic buildings. They are also extensively (Turpentine is mainly used for marine
used in marine environments – such as bridges applications).
and wharves - due to their durability.
Special applications for piles include difficult
Timber piles are deep footing members driven environments such as corrosive soils or where
into the ground to minimise footing movement ground water is present. Here timber out-
and transfer structural loads to deep sub-strata. performs equivalent steel or concrete pile
This is necessary because many structures have options. Timber piles have been successfully
loads that cannot be supported by surface used in marine environments for many years –
soils. especially in tidal zones where severe
Piles obtain their load carrying capacity by one corrosive environments exist. Though this a
of two means. Either by friction with the earth -
which is particularly effective due to the Piles/poles in marine environment
natural tapered shape of the piles; or by end
bearing on the soil sub-stratum. Combinations
of the two are also possible.
photo courtesy of: Outdoor Structures Australia

Piling design requires structural engineering

assistance. Design issues include: loads,
allowable settlement, timber strength and soil
conditions. Hardwood piles are installed by
pile driving rigs such as drop hammers,
hydraulic hammers or diesel hammers. All are
commonly mounted on excavation machines
with high masts to facilitate the hammer
action.

① Treated Timber Piling by Koppers, Kardon Marketing Services, Glenhaven.

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G U I D E
good application for timber, there is still the POLES
risk of attack by marine boring animals (e.g.
Poles are used largely because of their
toredo borers) and crustaceans. In addition, in-
practicality, simplicity and strength. Poles are
ground situations are sensitive to fluctuations
commonly used to support transmission lines
in the water table which encourages decay.
or as structural members in pole frame
Protection in these situations is achieved by:
construction. The latter is a derivative of post
• Using timber species that are naturally and beam construction, and has wide-spread
resistant such as Turpentine which has a high application. It may be used in houses,
silica content. The retention of the turpentine industrial buildings, churches, restaurants,
bark provides additional protection against tourist resorts and rural sheds. Timber poles
decay and borer attack. have advantages such as:
• Using timbers impregnated with preservative • Minimising site disturbance.
treatments. This typically involves one of two
• Reducing construction requirements in
vacuum pressure treatments. One uses
highly reactive soils, i.e. by embedding the
Copper Chrome Arsenic (CCA), and the
poles in the ground.
other uses Pigmented Emulsified Creosote
(PEC). In some marine environments a • Offering design flexibility.
double treatment is required using both • Harmonising with the natural environment.
chemicals (Refer to AS1604). Treatments
• Suiting steeply sloping sites.

A P P L I C A T I O N
penetrate the sapwood (i.e. the outer part of
the log) which is less durable than the • Providing ductility and flexibility where high
heartwood (i.e. the inner part of the log). wind loads and earthquakes are a concern.
• Using mechanical barriers e.g. Copper
sheathing or concrete collars.
Pile/pole house construction

Piles/poles in marine environment

Pile/pole house construction

photo courtesy of: Outdoor Structures Australia

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G U I D E Pole Sizes
• Pole diameters are 150mm, 200mm,
250mm, 300mm, 350mm (based on the butt
Structural Properties
Structural properties such as strength group,
stress grade and durability parameters are
end (larger) or ground line), provided in Table 2. This information can be
• Lengths can be ordered at 300mm used in conjunction with Section 6 of
increments, AS1720.1③ to create design requirements for
round timber products. Care should be taken
• Lengths typically fall in the range of 1.8m to to account for bending strength reduction
15.0 metres – and may be available up to factors brought about by immaturity, shaving
20m in length, and processing factors. When calculating the
• Longer lengths are limited to larger diameter effective cross section of the timber, untreated
poles (250mm or greater), round timber should be reduced so as to
disregard any values for sapwood content. It is
• Check size and length availability with
also important to make the general design
suppliers before specifying.
assumption that all parts of piles or poles
Natural Characteristics within 1.0m of the ground and anywhere
Natural characteristics for poles are described below are permanently in an unseasoned
in AS2209② which limits the ovality, condition.
straightness, knot size, allowable checks, end
splits and permissible visual defects. This
A P P L I C A T I O N

standard is for power poles but can also be

used for pole construction.

Pile/pole jetty construction

photo courtesy of: Outdoor Structures Australia

Table 2: Common hardwood pole properties

Hardwood Species Strength Stress In-ground
Group Grade Durability
Blackbutt S2 F27 2
Forest Red Gum S3 F22 1
Grey Coast Box S1 F34 1
Grey Ironbark S1 F34 1
Red Ironbark S2 F27 1
Spotted Gum S2 F27 2
Tallowwood S2 F27 1
Turpentine S3 F22 1
White Mahogany S2 F27 1
Yellow Stringybark S3 F22 2

② AS2209 Timber power poles for overhead lines, Standards Australia, Homebush, 1994.
③ AS1720.1 Timber Structures - Design Methods, Standards Australia, Homebush, 1997.

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RELATED DOCUMENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
(From this Series of Timber Development • Timber Manual, National Association of
Association Publications) Forest Industries Ltd., Canberra,
• Technical & Detailing Guide for Hardwoods • Timber decks commercial, industrial,
and Cypress (including information on marine, Timber Research and Development
moisture management, durability, Advisory Council of Queensland, Brisbane.
appearance and structural issues).
• Outdoor Structures Australia,
• Supplier’s Guide for Hardwoods and Cypress www.outdoorstructures.com.au
(including information on organisations that
can supply piles and poles).
Go to: www.australianhardwood.net

Piles/poles in marine environment

A P P L I C A T I O N
photo courtesy of: Outdoor Structures Australia

For additional assistance please contact the

Timber Advisory Service

1800 044 529

T DA
Timber Development
or visit the following websites: Association (NSW) Ltd
www.timber.net.au
www.australianhardwood.net

Sponsored by the NSW Native Timber Industry Marketing and Development Fund

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