Evaluation of Creep Characteristics of Single- Staple Furniture Joints Made of Different Wood Species

In this study, creep characteristics of single stapled furniture joints made of Scotch pine, alder and beech wood under three different load levels were considered. Load levels were determined as 30 %, 40 % and 50 % of the maximum load obtained as a result of static shear test before creep load and applied to wood joints. Laboratory test results showed that the highest creep deformation was observed in the joints made of Scotch pine with the lowest density, while the lowest creep deformation was observed in the joints made of beech with the highest density. In addition, the joints were exposed to lowest creep deformation at the 30 % load level, then the creep deformation of the joints increased at 40 % load level and it reached the highest value at 50 % load level. As a result of creep test, deformation in single stapled joints made of Scotch pine, alder and beech were determined as 2.74 %, 3.71 % and 4.37 % of the deformation that occurred as a result of static shear test performed before creep test, respectively. Ultimately, the overall average creep deformation value of a single staple wood joint under creep loading was determined as 3.61 %.