Effect of the panel type and panel thickness on moment resistance of screw-jointed corner joints and stiffness of four-member cabinets

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of panel type and panel thickness on moment resistance of L-type corner joints and deflection characteristics of four-member cabinets. Three different wood based panels, namely particleboard (PB), medium density fiberboard (MDF), and okoume (Aucoumea klaineana) plywood (PW) were utilized in two different thickness levels for constructing the four-member cabinets. All corner joints and cases were assembled with 4 x 50 mm screws without adhesive. The four member cabinets were tested under static load by supporting at three points. Furthermore, moment resistances of the same type jointed L-type corner joints were tested under static compression and tension loads. Test results indicated that the highest stiffness values were observed with 15 mm PW. This showed that 15 mm plywood could be used instead of 18 mm PW. 16 mm PB and MDF cabinets yielded higher stiffness values than those of 18 mm MDF, PW, and PB. Test results also indicated that 15 mm and 16 mm thick panels can have nearly the same stiffness as 18 mm thick panel.