Effect of Tenon Length on Flexibility of Mortise and Tenon Joint

This paper presents numerical analysis of the effects of tenon length on flexibility of mortise and tenon joints. Numerical calculations are carried out with a linear elastic model for orthotropic material. The mathematical model is solved by a finite element method. The results of the calculation indicate that a mortise and tenon joint becomes stiffer as tenon length increases. A satisfactory agreement was found between the experimental data taken from literature and the obtained results, thus confirming the conclusions made. Rotation stiffness was determined and also used in the structural analysis of a simple furniture frame. The results revealed that stiffness of joints in a frame had a considerable impact on the structure deflection.