Abstract

In this study, the failure load of L-type corner joints, which are reinforced with glass-fiber fabric, of the case-type furniture have been analyzed experimentally and statistically in laminated medium-density fiberboard (LMDF) material. The failure loads of corner joints have been analyzed experimentally under compression and tension loads. Dowels (D), dowel + glass fiber composite layer from the outside (DCO), dowel + glass fiber composite layer from the inside (DCI), dowel + glass fiber composite layer from the outside and inside (DCOI) and dowel + glass fiber composite layer from the edge (DCE) are used as joint methods. Tests were carried out according to ASTM Standards. The test results were analyzed statistically by Weibull distribution to obtain a 95% reliability level for failure load. Results show that the failure load takes its highest value for DCOI joints and lowest value for D joints for both average values of the test results and 95% reliability of Weibull distribution. In addition, results show that while the average failure load values of reinforced corner joints (for DCO, DCI, DCOI, and DCE joints, respectively) in tension situations increased by factors of 1.78, 2.69, 3.34 and 2.11 the average failure load values of unreinforced corner joints (D joints), the average failure load values of reinforced joints in compression situation are 7.98, 1.12, 6.08 and 3.06 times as much as the average failure load values of unreinforced joints. In addition, the 95% reliability value for each corner joint configuration is approximately equivalent to the 0.53 average value of the failure load.

Key words: Reinforced, glass-fiber fabric, dowel, failure analysis, case-type furniture, laminated medium-density fiberboard, Weibull distribution.