Load-carrying capacity of mitered furniture corner joints with dovetail keys under diagonal tension load

The goal of this study was to introduce a method for estimating stress analysis as an efficient procedure for evaluating the strength of mitered corner joints in furniture structures. Tests were carried out to determine the effects of panel type, distance between the centers of dovetail holes and the edges of joints (10, 20, and 30 mm), and type of dovetail key on the load-carrying capacity of mitered corner joints under a diagonal tension load. Specimens were constructed of overlaid medium-density fiberboard (LamMDF) and particleboard (LamPb) and connected with butterfly and H-shaped dovetail keys. Polyvinyl acetate adhesive was used to assemble the joints. Specimens were tested under diagonal tension loads and the corresponding combined stress analysis was conducted using the following formulas: Total stress at the outer edge, Total stress at the inner edge, where σb is bending stress, σa is axial stress, P is axial failure load, L is half of the span length, and t and b are the thickness and width of the joint members. Test results showed that corner joints constructed of LamMDF were 13% stronger than joints constructed of LamPb. For the specimens constructed of both panel types, a 10-mm distance between the dovetail holes and the edges of joints gave better results than distances of 20 and 30 mm. No significant differences were observed between the 2 types of dovetail keys. Total compression stresses at the outer edge were 2 times greater than the total tension stresses at the inner edge of the joints.