Strength Investigation of an Upholstered Furniture Frame with Side Plates of PB, OSB and PLY by Finite Element Method

Comparative analysis of the strength characteristics of one-seat upholstered furniture frame with rails of Pinus Sylvestris L. and side plates of PB, OSB and PLY boards was carried out. 3D geometric model of the upholstered furniture frame was created by Autodesk Inventor Pro®. Linear static analyses were carried out by the method of finite elements (FEM) simulating light-service loading. The orthotropic material characteristics of the used materials were considered in the analyses. Two variants of corner joints in the frame (model A – staples and PVAc; model B - staples, PVAc and strengthening elements under the rail of the seat) were considered. The laboratory established coefficients of rotational stiffness of used staple corner joints in the skeleton were considered in finite element analysis (FEA). As result, the distribution of the maximum and minimum principal stresses in the 3D model of upholstered furniture frame side plates were derived and analysed. The worst failure indexes according to Tsai-Wu failure criteria were calculated at heavy-service load. The study provided database of strength values that can help in the engineering of upholstered furniture frames with side plates of PB, OSB and PLY.