Investigation on the effect of wooden dowel diameter, penetration depth and species on the bending moment resistance under diagonal tensile load of corner joints in case-type furniture

The bending moment resistance under diagonal tensile load of doweled joint in plywood members was investigated. Joint members were cut from 11-ply hardwood plywood (Beech, Hornbeam and Alder) at the nominal thickness of 19 mm. Dowels were made of Beech and Hornbeam woods. Dowel diameters (6, 8 and 10 mm) and depths of penetration (9, 13 and 17 mm) in the joint members were selected as variables. The effect of dowel variables on the bending moment of the corner joints was evaluated. Results showed that the dowel diameter, penetration depth and species exerted a significant effect on the bending moment resistance under diagonal tensile load. Bending moment resistance under diagonal tensile load was increased as the diameter of the dowel increased from 6 to 8 mm and as the penetration depth of dowel increase from 9 to 13 mm. However, increasing the diameter from 8 to 10 mm or the penetration depth from 13 to 17 mm had no significant effect on bending moment resistance under diagonal tensile load. Results also indicated that bending moment resistance of joints made with beech wood dowels provided higher resistance than hornbeam dowels.