Determination of the Strength of The Ready to Assemble Sofa Frames With Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

In this study, the strength properties of screwed-without glue (demonte) jointed sofa frames constructed of solid wood and wood based (composite) materials were investigated. Furthermore, place of the stretcher was optimized in the side frame of the sofa. First lass Scotch pine (Pinus Sylvestris Lipsky) and Turkish beech (Fagus Orientalis Lipsky) were used as solid wood materials. Oriented strandboard (OSB), okoume (Aucoumea klaineana) plywood 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. Finite element analysis method were utilized for structural analyzing the sofa frames. According to results, it has been observed that the three dimensional structural analysis by means of finite element method gives reasonable estimates of the overall strength performances of the sofa frames. As a result of the tests, it was concluded that the wood composite materials could be used instead of solid wood material, and portable connection techniques that provide many advantage for designers, producers, users and seller could be used in the production of the frame construction furniture, especially in the upholstered furniture frames.