Progress 09/01/01 to 06/30/06
Outputs
During the reporting year 2006, two refereed journal articles were published in the Forest Products Journal, one refereed article submitted to Journal of Testing and Evaluation was accepted, one proceeding was published at the SEM Annual Conference, and two refereed articles were submitted to Forest Products Journal for publication. One Ph.D. student continues her research work with experimental work completed. The Ph.D student working on the radio frequency project has completed study on development of a static device.
Impacts
The outcome of continuing research in furniture structural engineering and new engineered wood-based material properties will provide furniture manufacturers with engineering data to assist them in their effort of reducing product development and manufacturing cost and still maintain superior product performance and quality.
Publications
- Dai, L., and J. Zhang. 2006. Fatigue behavior and design of wood composites as furniture components. Eleven pages in Proceedings of 2006 SEM Annual Conference & Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics.
- Zhang, J., N. Han, and M. Maupin. 2006. Lateral edge resistance of single-fastener furniture joints in wood-based panel products. Forest Products Journal. 56(2):33-39.
- Zhang, J., Y. Yu, and F. Quin. 2006. Bending fatigue life of metal-plate-connected joints in furniture-grade pine plywood. Forest Products Journal. 56(11/12):62-66.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
During the reporting year 2005, five refereed journal articles were published in the Forest Products Journal, and three refereed articles were submitted to Forest Products Journal for publication. One Ph.D. student continues her research project in structural analysis, modeling and testing of upholstered furniture frames in order to develop a design manual for strength design of upholstered furniture frames. Her research proposal was approved by the committee. The structural modeling work has been completed. The experimental work started right after November 2005. Her project is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. Another Ph.D. student is still working on development of using radio frequency technology for non-destructive measurement of moisture content and density of wood-based composites. Simulation and experimental work were performed simultaneously. The project is expected to be completed by the end of spring semester of 2007.
Impacts
The outcome of continuing research in furniture structural engineering and new engineered wood-based material properties will provide furniture manufacturers with engineering data in assisting them in the effort of reducing product development and manufacturing cost and still maintaining superior product performance.
Publications
- Efe, H, J. Zhang, Y. Z. Erdil, and A. Kasal. 2005. Moment capacity of traditional and alternative T-type end-to-side-grain furniture joints. Forest Products Journal 55(5): 69-73.
- Zhang, J., B. Chen, and S. R. Daniewicz. 2005. Fatigue performance of wood-based composites as upholstered furniture frame stock. Forest Products Journal 55(6): 53-59.
- Zhang J., H. Efe, Y. Z. Erdil, A. Kasal, and N. Han. 2005. Moment resistance of multiscrew L-type corner joints. Forest Products Journal 55(10): 56-63.
- Zhang, J. and J. Skipper. 2005. Load-withdrawal displacement characteristics of staples in selected hardwoods. Forest Products Journal 55(2): 71-80.
- Zhang, J., Y. Yu, and F. Quin. 2005. Moment capacity of metal-plate-connected joints in furniture grade pine plywood. Forest Products Journal 55(5): 45-51.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
The research project on the fatigue performance of wood composites as furniture frame stock was completed. A graduate student finished his defense and thesis writing. Also, based on his work, a refereed journal article was submitted to FPJ, and has been accepted for publication. The four projects related to fastener withdrawal resistance in wood and wood composites were completed, which yielded two papers published and two accepted for publication. Two papers relating to screw and metal-plate connected furniture joints were written and also accepted for publication in FPJ. One paper on furniture frame design load was submitted to Journal of Testing and Evaluation for publication. Currently, one graduate student is working on development of a design manual for strength design of upholstered furniture frames. The manual will include information such as strength design loads for frame components (joints and members), wood and wood composite mechanical properties related
to furniture frame design, and joint strength prediction formulas. Another graduate student is working on development of using radio frequency technology for non-destructive measurement of physical properties of wood composites as furniture frame stock.
Impacts
The outcome of fatigue research studies will supply furniture manufacturers with fatigue properties of wood composites, help them to determine and select different materials in an effort to lower material cost, and, at the same time, satisfy frame performance requirements.
Publications
- Chen, B. 2003. Fatigue performance of wood-based composites as upholstered furniture frame stock. Thesis, Forest Products Department, Mississippi State University.
- Erdil, Y.Z, Zhang, J., Eckleman, C.A. 2003. Staple holding strength of furniture frame joints constructed of plywood and oriented strandboard. Forest Products Journal 53(1):70-75.
- Erdil, Y.Z., Zhang, J., Eckleman, C.A. 2003. Withdrawal and bending strength of dowel-nuts in plywood and oriented strandboard. Forest Products Journal 53(6):54-57.
- Zhang, J., Li, G., and Sellers, T., 2003. Bending fatigue of two-pin dowel joints in furniture grade pine plywood. Forest Products Journal 53(9):33-39.
- Zhang, J. and Maupin, M. 2004. Face lateral and withdrawal resistances of staple joints in furniture-grade pine plywood. Forest Products Journal. 54(6):40-46.
- Zhang, J. Quin, F. and Chen, H. 2004. Edge lateral resistance of staple joints in furniture-grade pine plywood. Forest Products Journal 54(7/8): 85-95.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Studies on fatigue performance of wood composites as furniture frame stock has been completed. A graduate student finished his defense and thesis writing. Also, a refereed journal article is completed and is ready for internal faculty review. The staple withdrawal project has also been completed, and the graduate student for this research is working on his thesis writing and planning his defense later in the spring semester. Graduate Students = 2.
Impacts
The outcome of fatigue research studies will supply furniture manufacturers with fatigue properties of wood composites, help them to determine and select different materials in an effort to lower material cost and at the same satisfying frame performance requirements.
Publications
- Eckelman, C.A., Erdil, Y.Z., Zhang, J. 2002. Withdrawal and bending strength of dowel joints constructed of plywood and oriented strandboard. Forest Products Journal 52(9):66-74.
- Eckelman, C.A., Lin, F.C., Zhang, J. 2002. A technique for structural modeling of front rails for sofas. Holz als Roh-und Werkstoff 60(2002):60-65.
- Erdil, Y.Z., Zhang, J., Eckelman, C.A. 2002. Holding strength of screws in plywood and oriented strandboard. Forest Products Journal 52(6):55-62.
- Yadama, V., Zhang, J., Syed, B.M., Steele, P.H. 2002. Experimental analysis of multiple staple joints in selected wood and wood-based materials. Journal of Testing and Evaluation 30(5):400-407.
- Zhang, J., Erdil, Y.Z., Eckelman, C.A. 2002. Lateral holding strength of dowel joints constructed of plywood and oriented strandboard. Forest Products Journal 52(7/8):83-89.
- Zhang, J., Erdil, Y.Z., Eckelman, C.A. 2002. Torsional strength of dowel joints constructed of plywood and oriented strandboard. Forest Products Journal 52(10):89-94.
- Zhang, J., Yadama, V. 2002. Evaluation of 3M Jet-Weld adhesives for application in upholstered furniture frame construction. In Proceedings, TAPPI Hot Melt Symposium, Charlotte, NC. Pp. 179-190.
- Sellers, Jr., T. 2003. Part II: Exciting times for LVL and plywood in Australia. PanelWorld 44(5):38-41.
- Sellers, Jr., T. 2003. Exciting times for LVL and plywood in Australia. PanelWorld 44(4):36-41.
- Sellers, Jr., T. 2003. Chile: Where wood panels are expanding. PanelWorld 44(3):28-29.
- Zhang, J., Li, G., Sellers, Jr., T. 2003. Withdrawal and bending performance of dowel joints in furniture-grade pine plywood. Forest Products Journal 53(7/8):41-49.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
For fatigue behavior study of pine plywood and OSB as furniture frame stock, all experimental work has been completed.
Impacts
Research projects will produce information concerning the strength design of furniture joints and members in wood composites. The information will help furniture manufacturers in designing furniture frames to meet high performance standards. The research outcomes will eventually allow furniture manufacturers to pre- and re-engineer upholstered furniture products improving quality and durability. This effort supports the long-term goal of enhancing the competitiveness of the U. S. furniture industry in today's global market and quickly changing technology environment.
Publications
- Tackett, R., and Zhang, J. 2001. Joint-by-joint design software provides fastener strength formula applications. Modern Woodworking/Sept 2001. pp 32-37.
- Zhang J., Lin, F.C., Eckelman, C., Gibson, H. 2000. A structural design model for sofa seat frames equipped with sinusoidal-type springs. Forest Products Journal 50(3):49-57.
- Zhang, J., Lyon, D.E., Quin, F., and Tackett, B. 2001. Bending strength of gusset-plate joints constructed of wood composites. Forest Prod. J. 51(5):40-44.
- Zhang, J., Quin, F., and Tackett, B. 2001. Bending fatigue life of two-pin dowel joints constructed of wood and wood composites. Forest Prod. J. 51(10):73-78
- Zhang, J., Quin, F., and Tackett, B. 2001. Bending strengths and stiffness of two-pin dowel joints constructed of wood and wood composites. Forest Prod. J. 51(2):29-35.
- Zhang, J., Quin, F., Tackett, B. and Park, S. 2002. Direct withdrawal strength of multi-staple joints in pine plywood. Forest Prod. J. 52(5): 861-66.
- Zhang, J., Quin, F., Tackett, B. and Park, S. 2002. Direct withdrawal strength of single-staple joints in pine plywood. Forest Prod. J. 52(2): 86-91.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Studies of withdrawal resistances of single and multiple staple joints in pine plywood were completed. Two refereed journal articles were written and submitted to the Forest Products Journal. Both were accepted for publication. The test of the direct withdrawal resistance of single staples for hardwood lumber was also completed. Data analysis is underway. For fatigue behavior study of pine plywood as a furniture frame material, the one-sided constant cycle test was completed. The stepped load test is underway.
Impacts
These research projects will produce information concerning the strength design of furniture joints and members in wood composites. The information will help furniture manufacturers designing furniture frames to meet high performance standards. The research outcomes will eventually allow furniture manufacturers to pre- and re-engineer upholstered furniture products improving product quality and durability. This effort supports the long-term goal of enhancing the competitiveness of the U.S. furniture industry in today's global market and quickly changing technology environment.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
The program was completed and distributed to a large number of furniture manufacturers. The final publication should be completed by June 2001.
Impacts
The program will have a twofold benefit: (1) to allow designers the benefit of very easily manipulating joint member dimensions, fasteners, and materials to determine an immediate strength comparison, and (2) to subsequently get an intuitive feel for what can be done without years of experience. This should greatly reduce trial-and-error type designs, reduce the number of costly design changes, and forcast how or if new engineered materials can be used, and the material properties that are important for their efficacy. The program's ease of operation should encourage its use.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
The computer software Version I was completed in December 1999. A journal paper will be completed by June 30, 2000.
Impacts
The program will have a twofold benefit: (1) to allow designers the benefit of very easily manipulating joint member dimensions, fasteners, and materials to determine an immediate strength comparison, and (2) to subsequently get an intuitive feel for what can be done without years of experience. This should greatly reduce trial-and-error type designs, reduce the number of costly design changes, and forecast how or if new engineered materials can be used, and the material properties that are important for their efficacy. Its ease of operation should encourage its use.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
A computer software prototype for furniture designers and manufacturers has been developed in the Furniture Research Unit. Students from the Computer Science Department and Management Information Systems Department at Mississippi State University have worked on a prototype system for about three years. The long term goals of the system for which the prototype was developed included: (1) provide wood material information necessary for upholstered furniture frame design; (2) assist in piece-wise analysis of upholstered furniture frame members and joints; (3) provide a critique for designing of upholstered furniture frame members, and (4) assist in completing a design. By January 1999, a prototype system has the following functionality: (1) the prototype can critique seven types of upholstered furniture frame members: arm-flatwise, arm-edgewise, back rail, front post, front rail, leg, and top rail; (2) the prototype can also design seven types (mentioned above) of
upholstered furniture frame members; (3) the prototype for analyzing furniture joint design has been partially completed. This functional component has not been completed because the Forest Products Laboratory is still in the process of collecting the necessary data for the design of furniture frame joints. The accuracy of the results for the prototype has yet to be verified.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
A study was conducted to show that compression modulus or stiffness of polyurethane foam obtained from continuous load-deflection curves is a better indicator of its performance and durability. Results were presented to the AFMA's sub-committee that deals with polyurethane foam issues. Several small projects were conducted with furniture manufacturers and their suppliers. For example, work was done to examine the feasibility of utilizing 3M's Jet-Weld adhesive for manufacturing upholstored furniture frames. Reports were submitted to the appropriate parties. Progress was made in nearing the completion of expert system software that will assist furniture frame designers and manufacturers with member and joint designs. Technical assistance to several furniture-based industries, manufacturers, and suppliers, was provided throughout the year.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
Much work was conducted to investigate the viability of using a new method to characterize the behavior of foam and fiber products used in manufacturing upholstered furniture. Behavior of products such as polyurethane, fiber, and polyurethane wrapped with fiber batting, was studied on a continuous basis instead of at discrete points to assess their performance in terms of durability and ability to support loads. Several adhesive joints were tested and evaluated. Information generated on engineered wood products was incorporated into a database that supports an expert system based software for assisting in design and analysis of upholstered furniture frames. Technical assistance to several furniture based industries was provided throughout the year.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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