Moment capacity of traditional and alternative T-type end-to-side-grain furniture joints

Abstract

The bending moment capacity of traditional and alternative T-type end-to-side-grain joints constructed of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky), European oak (Quercus borealis Lipsky), and Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris Lipsky) were investigated. Two-pin dowel and mortise-and-tenon joints assembled with polyvinyl acetate adhesive were considered as traditional adhesive-based joints, and minifix plus dowel and screw joints were considered alternative non-adhesive-based joints. Experimental results indicated traditional adhesive-based mortise-and-tenon joints yielded the highest bending moment capacity among the four types of tested joints, and that minifix plus dowel joints had the lowest bending moment capacity. Screw joints could produce higher bending moment capacities than traditional glued dowel joints. The bending moment capacity of minifix plus dowel joints was less sensitive to wood species change than mortise-and-tenon joints, dowel joints, and screw joints.