Numerical analysis of furniture constructions

Trying to rationalize principles of furniture design and construction whose objective function is minimization of material use and maximization of the strength of elements and construction nodes, a research project was undertaken with the objective to work out, write and test the effectiveness of a program designed for rigidity-strength analysis of furniture side frames constructions. The program provides results of computation of values of cross section forces, node translocations and dimensions of connectors (dowels or tenons) in selected places of connection of component elements. It was found that tenon connections in constructions of chair side frames ensure sufficient strength and rigidity of the system and maintain optimal dimensions of cross sections of component elements. Dowel connections can replace tenon joints reaching the same strength, but the areas of cross sections of the elements to be joined will have to increase from 18 to 45%. The strength of connections and their dimensions do not constitute the function of the position of the connecting member in the chair and the rigidity of the chair side frame depends directly on the position of the connecting member and increases as the position of this element is lowered. The developed computer program allows accurate, rapid and multiple rigidity-strength analysis of furniture frame constructions made of wood.