Structural design and mechanical properties analysis of a wood bed based on the finite element method

Abstract

People spend a substantial proportion of their daily rest time in bed, making sound structural design essential for user health and safety. In this study, a wood bed was modelled and evaluated using the finite element method (FEM) to assess mechanical strength, fatigue properties, and drop-impact behavior under different loading conditions. The results show that in static analyses, a uniformly distributed load on the bed surface produced a maximum stress of 9.5 MPa, whereas a concentrated load increased the stress to 11.8 MPa. Under a horizontal load applied to the headboard, the peak stress reached 9.7 MPa, and loading on the long side rail generated 10.8 MPa. Fatigue analysis under cyclic loading yielded a stress of 8.7 MPa, a fatigue damage value of 0.7, and a predicted fatigue life of 16,652 cycles. In the impact analysis, the bed experienced a peak stress of 11.9 MPa, with both stress and deformation increasing over time. Stress magnitude and distribution under static and impact loads indicate that the bed deck pane is the primary load-bearing component. This study provides a basis for improving the safety, comfort, and durability of bed-type furniture while optimizing material use and reducing manufacturing costs.