A METHOD OF SIMULATING SEAT LOAD FOR NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF WOOD CHAIR STRUCTURE

This study aimed to investigate the characteristic values of the human-seat interface in a normal sitting posture, and to numerically mode the load on the chair seat for the structural design of chairs. The stress distributions and the characteristic values of seat were measured under normal sitting posture by using a human body pressure distribution measurement system considering the effects of gender and body mass index (BMI). The stress distribution on the seat was then numerically modeled using three modeling methods. The observed results and the numerical analysisresults were compared. The results showed that an inverted U-shaped pressure distribution was observed in normal sitting posture. The stress was concentrated on the ischial tuberosity with a maximum value of 0.066 MPa. The ratio of the load on the seat to the gravity of the human body weight was about 65.3%. The numerical model established using the body pressure mapping method was superior to those of the uniform load method and the standard loading pad method in terms of stress distribution, maximum stress, and contact area

Optimal design of stretchers positions of mortise and tenon joint chair

The chair joined by oval mortise-and-tenon was taken as a case. Then influences of two adjacent sides (side A and side B) stretcher positions on mechanical properties of chairs, including ultimate loading capacity, stiffness and strain distributions, were investigated through using experimental and numerical methods. Firstly, two factors and three levels experiments were conducted and analyzed by Finite Element Method (FEM) . The results showed that ultimate loading capacity of chairs decreased firstly and then increased with the growth of the height of stretchers positions. In addition, the stress concentration occurred at middle of side rails and joints of side rails, especially at the side B, while the stress at the middle of the leg was minimum. Besides, the higher the stretcher position of the side A was, the more harmonious the stress distributions of chair was, and the higher ultimate loading capacity and stiffness were. Moreover, the results of FEM were well consistence with those of experiments, and the errors were within 10%. Secondly, two factors and five levels numerical analysis was conducted to optimize the stretcher positions of chair by the FEM, and the results showed more boadly that the best stretchers positions of chair owning the highest loading capacity was not the only one. Finally, the relationship between ultimate loading capacity and stretcher positions was generated by using the response surface method, and the correlation coefficient was nearly 88%.

Tang dynasty chair feature design based on Kansei evaluation and eye tracking system

Tang dynasty (AD 618–907) chairs were manufactured during an important period of Chinese furniture development. This paper aims to identify design elements that impact on people’s subjective impressions, so as to guide the design of Tang dynasty style chairs. The study combined eye tracking and Kansei evaluation methods to assess the semantic reception of Tang dynasty chairs. The results showed that the influential factors can be grouped into two main categories: decoration and shape. The decorative features of Tang dynasty chairs that have the most significant impact on visual attention were identified. The study determined that the backrests, armrests, and legs of Tang dynasty chairs design were the most important morphological features. Through these morphological features, we can define the Tang dynasty chair style, guide the design of modern Tang dynasty style chairs, and carry out targeted design of Tang dynasty chair style features.