The effect of body mass on designing the structural elements of wooden chairs

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of increased body mass of users on the structural loading of wooden chair elements following the changes in anthropometric parameters in the adult population of the Slovak Republic. Moreover, the functional parts of a wooden chair most affected by the weight gain of an adult population were defined. The strength analysis of the tested chair was conducted using the program ANSYS. In the software environment, the 3D volume model taking into consideration orthotropic properties of wood was created. The structural elements of chairs for the current adult population are designed for the weight of 110 kg. The results suggest that the weight necessary for designing the structural elements of chairs must be 150 kg (130 kg + 15%). Comfort, physical health, well-being, performance, and security can be increased by designing such a device and equipment meeting the needs of the human body in a long-term viewpoint. It is suggested to create the standard taking into account men with a weight of up to 150 kg. Based on the results of the strength analyses, a chair load with a user’s weight of 150 kg will require a change in the dimensions of the side rails and the cross-section of the legs. The new knowledge gained is helpful for a better design of chair wooden elements taking into account the anisotropic (directional) structure of natural wood.