Feasibility study of manufacturing chairs from modified date palm laminated timber

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Wood and Paper Science and Technology, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.

10.22059/jfwp.2025.390591.1339

Abstract

Date palm is considered a lignocellulosic material resource in Iran, but due to its unique anatomy and non-woody structure, its properties differ from conventional wood. This study investigated the feasibility of manufacturing an innovative chair using multilayer laminated timber made from date palm trunks. The trunks were processed following ISO 24294 standards, cut into four pieces with a band saw, and sliced into 3.5 mm-thick layers. These layers were thermally modified in an oven at 160 °C for 2 hours. After alignment and gluing, they were pressed at 135 °C with 35 kg/cm² pressure and a target density of 0.8 g/cm³ to produce laminated timber. This material was used to fabricate components such as bases, support brackets, edge and size cuts, chamfers, and tongue-and-groove joints. The finished chair was tested according to EN 12520 (ISIRI 18688), EN 1022 (ISIRI 9184), and EN 1728 (ISIRI 11527) standards using a mechanical testing device. Impacts were applied with a pneumatic jack, and displacement of chair parts was recorded using linear potentiometer sensors. Data collected via data logger indicated that the chair met national and international requirements for strength, durability, and safety. In all nine standardized tests, performance thresholds were properly recorded, and critical stress points were identified, enabling preventive design improvements. This innovative approach demonstrates the potential of modified date palm laminated timber for producing various chair designs.

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References

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Forest and Wood Products
Volume 78, Issue 1
June 2025
Pages 77-88

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