3. Assembly technology and design

Assemblies are always the weakest point in construction. Particular care must therefore be taken in their design and execution. To this end, the following general guidelines should be observed:

• precise, play-free adjustment of parts;

• carefully check all local stresses: longitudinal stresses in bars; transverse stresses; pay particular attention to the possibility of shear failure of parts (distance between bolts, free length at the front or rear of the assembly, where shear stresses are likely to develop);

• Since wood's resistance to transverse tension is very low, avoid this type of stress, or provide arrangements that prevent the wood from breaking;

• as a general rule, avoid assembly methods that require notches or mortises in main parts,...