Design and testing of bookcase frames constructed with round mortise and tenon joints

Abstract

Previous work has shown that by using round mortise and tenon joints, durable maintenance-free school chairs and desks can be produced from largely waste local woody materials by cottage industries in remote regions of the world. Results of this previous work would suggest that by using this same method of construction, well-designed, durable, functional bookcases also could be produced from locally available small-diameter tree species and thin plywood or other thin panel materials. A number of panel and frame bookcases utilizing round mortise and tenon joints were constructed to evaluate their performance. Tests conducted on the resulting bookcase frames and shelves indicated that shelves constructed of thin plywood supported by small front and back shelf rails with ends joined to the corner posts with round mortise and tenon joints easily met critical shelf deflection criteria. The excellent deflection characteristics of the shelves were credited to the high degree of end fixity of the shelf rails that was obtained through the use of snug fitting round mortise and tenon joints.