Comparisons of finite element models used to predict bending strength of mortise-and-tenon joints

Abstract

This study aimed to obtain a better method for establishing a finite element model of mortise-and-tenon (M-T) joints. Three types of M-T joint finite element models, which included a whole rigid model, a tie rigid model, and a semi-rigid model, were established and compared with experimental results by predicting the bending moment capacity (BMC) of M-T joints based on the finite element method (FEM). The results showed that the semi-rigid model performed much better than the tie rigid model, followed by the whole rigid model. For the semi-rigid model, the ratios of FEM ranged from 0.85 to 1.09. For the whole rigid model and tie rigid model, the BMC of the M-T joint was overestimated. In addition, the results showed that tenon size remarkably affected the BMC and stiffness of the M-T joint, and tenon width had a greater effect on the BMC of the M-T joint than the tenon length.