Bending Moment Capacities of L-Shaped Mortise and Tenon Joints under Compression and Tension Loadings

Abstract

Tests were carried out to determine the bending moment capacities of L-shaped mortise and tenon furniture joints under both compression and tension loadings. The effects of wood species (Turkish beech and Scotch pine), adhesive type (polyvinylacetate and polyurethane), and tenon size (width and length) on the static bending moment capacity of joints under the same loading conditions were investigated. The results of the tests indicated that the moment capacity increased as either tenon width or length increased. The results also indicated that tenon length had a greater effect on the moment capacity than tenon width. In both compression and tension tests, Turkish beech joints were stronger than Scotch pine joints, and PU joints were stronger than PVA joints. An empirically derived expression was developed to estimate the average ultimate bending moment capacity of joints under compression and tension loads as functions of the wood species, the adhesive type, and the tenon size.