Mechanical Characteristics of Dowel Joints under Cyclic Loads

Cyclic tests were performed with dowel joints which are being widely used for furniture manufacturing in Korea. In this study, effects of various factors-such as species of joint members, diameter and length of dowels, and space between dowels-on stiffness, strength and damping ratio of joints were evaluated and concluded as follows: 1. Under cyclic loads, failure of dowel joints were caused by bending failure of dowels. 2. Dowel joints were evaluated to be stiff but general load carrying capacities were relatively low. 3. Joint moduli and damping ratios of dowel joints decreased as diameter and length of dowels, and space between dowels increased. 4. In dowel joints, properties of dowel itself have greater effects on stiffness and strength of joints than properties of joint members.