Study on tensile strength of single dovetail joint: experimental, numerical, and analytical analysis

The tensile strength of the single dovetail joint was investigated by experimental, numerical, and analytical methods. First, a numerical model of the dovetail joint was constructed based on the cohesive model using the Traction Separation law. Secondly, an analytical model was proposed based on the mechanical properties of the wood and the geometric dimensions of the dovetail joint. Finally, limited experimental tests (only changing the thickness length and width of the dovetail joint) were conducted to validate the numerical and analytical models. The results showed that the numerical model was an efficient method with ratios ranging from 0.84 to 1.35. The analytical model underestimated the tensile strength with ratios ranging from 0.63 to 0.85. The numerical analysis results showed that the dovetail tenon length and thickness significantly affect the maximum tensile strength. The tail angle and thickness significantly affected the elastic stiffness of the dovetail joint. The analytical model indicated the relationships between the dimensions of the dovetail joint and the tensile strength. The proposed methods will help to rationally design and optimize the tensile strength of a single dovetail joint.