Determination of the Strength of Various Sofa Frames with Finite Element Analysis

Year 2006, Volume: 19 Issue: 4, 191 - 203, 28.03.2010

Ali Kasal

Abstract

In this study, the strength properties of glued-dowel joined sofa frames constructed of solid wood and wood based composite materials were investigated. Furthermore, the place of the stretcher was optimized in the side frame of the sofa. Scotch pine (Pinus Sylvestrıs Lipsky) and Turkish beech (Fagus Orientalis Lipsky) were used as solid wood materials. Oriented strandboard (OSB), okoume (Aucoumea klaineana pierre) plywood (PLY) and medium density fiberboard (MDF) were used as wood composites. Specimens were tested under static load according to the principles of TS 9215 by applying both seat and backrest loads which the sofa can be imposed upon in service. The finite element method was utilized for analyzing the sofa frames. As a result, it has been observed that the three dimensional structural analysis by means of the finite element method gives reasonable estimates of the overall strength performances of the sofa frames. Furthermore; it was concluded that the wood composite materials could be used instead of solid wood materials in the production of the frame construction furniture, especially in the upholstered seating furniture frames.

Keywords

Frame construction, strength design of furniture, wood composite, finite element method, structural

References

• Eckelman, C. A., Erdil, Y. Z., “Furniture Engineering and Quality of Life”, I. International Furniture Congress, İstanbul, 306-332 (1999).
• Smardzevski, J., “Strength of Profile- Adhesive Joints”, Wood Science and Technology, 36 : 173-183 (2002).
• Daudeville, L., Davenne, L., Yasumura, M., “Prediction of the Load Carrying Capacity of Bolted Timber Joint”, Wood Science and Technology, 33 : 15-29 (1999). [11] Nicholls, T., Crisan, R., “Study of the Stress- Strain State in Corner Joints and Box Type Furniture Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA)”, Holz als Roh-und Werkstoff, 60 : 66-71 (2002). [12] Erdil, Y., Z., “Integrated Product Engineering and Performance Testing of Furniture”, Ph.D. Thesis, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 2-19 (2002).
• TS 46, “Kontrplak (Soyma Plakalı)–Genel Amaçlar İçin”, T.S.E. , Ankara, (1986).
• TS 64, “Lif Levhalar – Sert ve Orta Sert Levhalar”, T.S.E. , Ankara, (1982).
• EN 300, “Oriented Strand Boards (OSB)– Definitions, Classification and Specifications”, European Standart, (1997).
• American Society for Testing and Materials, Standard Methods of Evaluating the Properties of Woodbase Fiber and Particle Panel Materials, ASTM D 1037–98, ASTM, West Conshohocken, Philadelphia, (1998). [17] TS 3891, “Yapıştırıcılar–Polivinilasetat Esaslı Emülsiyon (Ahşap Malzeme İçin), (Tadil AMD1: 1992 – 07)”, T.S.E. , Ankara, (1982).
• TS 9024, “Mobilya – Koltuk”, T.S.E., Ankara, (1997).
• TS. 4539, Ahşap Birleştirmeler – Kavelalı Birleştirme Kuralları, T.S.E., Ankara, (1985).
• TS 2471, “Odunda Fiziksel ve Mekanik Deneyler İçin Rutubet Miktarının Tayini”, T.S.E., Ankara, (1976).
• TS 9215, “Ahşap Mobilya–Mukavemet ve Denge Deneyleri”, T.S.E., Ankara, (1991). [22] ISO/DIS 7174/1, “Furniture–Chairs– Determination of Stability”, Draft International Standard, (1979). [23] RISA – 3D Version 4.1, RISA Technologies, (2000).
• USDA Forest Product Laboratory, “Wood Handbook”, USDA Agricultural Handbook 72, USDA Forest Service, Forest Product Laboratory, Madison, WI, USA, 42-45 (1987).
• Beer, F., P., Johnston, E., R., “Mechanics of Materials”, SI Metric Edition, McGraw – Hill Ryerson Limited, 75-79 (1987).