Comparison of the Moment Capacity of Case Furniture Corner Joints Connected with Solid Wood and Plastic Dowels

In this study, moment capacity of L-type corner joints connected with dowels were compared. Specimens were constructed of 16 and 18 mm particleboard (YL) and medium density fiberboard (MDF). In constructing the joints, beech (Fagus orientalis L.) and plastic dowels which were in 8 mm diameter and 30 mm length were utilized. Polyurethane based polidol pu bond (PPB) glue was used as adhesive in the corner joints. Corner joint specimens were tested under static diagonal compression and tension loads which the joints can be imposed upon in service. At the end of tests, the highest moment capacity were obtained with the specimens constructed of 18 mm MDF and connected with beech dowels. According to test results, plastic dowels do not have enough strength to use in case furniture joints so, preferring of beech dowels was recommended for this types of joints. Furthermore, it was determined that the specimens constructed of 18 mm panels were given high strength values than those for the joints constructed of 16 mm panels.