Enhancement of load-carrying capacity of corner joints in case-type furniture

In this study, the failure loads of L-type corner joints in case-type furniture have been analyzed experimentally and statistically in laminated medium-density fiberboard material. The failure loads of five corner joints have been analyzed experimentally under tension and compression moments; these joint types are glass-fiber composite layer (C), dowel (D), dowel + composite layer (DC), dowel + minifix (DM), and dowel + minifix + composite layer (DMC). The test results were analyzed statistically by Weibull distribution to obtain a 95% reliability level for failure load. Tests were carried out according to ASTM Standards. Results show that the failure load takes its highest value in the DMC case for both average values of the test results and for 95% reliability under Weibull distribution. On the other hand, it takes its lowest value in the D case. In addition, the 95% reliability value for each corner joint configuration is approximately equivalent to the 0.53 average value of the failure load. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.