Determination of Displacement in a Loaded Wooden Chair by Using Digital Image Correlation

The subject of the research is a ready to assemble (RTA) chair constructed of plywood by a CNC machine. The standard test of seat and back of the chair according to the Czech Standard CSN EU 1728 was supplemented with an optical method of digital image correlation (DIC). The aim of the research was to discover mechanical principles of the construction and to develop a methodology of standardized furniture testing. Results of experimental measurement show the response of the chair construction in a form of displacement fields, strain fields, charts and vectors depicting displacement of the observed points. The results can be used to improve mechanical properties of the construction, as well as to develop a shape of the product or specific parts of the product. Besides furniture testing laboratories and research institutes, engineers from development departments of furniture making companies or industrial designers can easily use the presented method.