I'm designing a stackable bookcase where I will stack 5 cases up on a base. Cases will be made of white oak with the end panels of each case a frame and panel construction. I'm thinking that 1.5" stiles/rails will look good, and .75" thick. I think stiles of this dimension will be sufficient to carry the load of fully loaded cases, but I'm not completely sure. Not being a mechanical engineer, I'm guessing it's ok, but I'd like to be sure.
All the weight of the cases + contents will come down on the 4 stiles of the end panels of the bottom case. I haven't calculated what the actual load might be yet but the question to the engineers here on the Creek is this:
If I divide the estimated load by the cross sectional area of the 4 stiles to get load psi, is the design sufficient if that result is less than the compression strength of white oak? Or am I completely off track with this logic?
I'm assuming I can find the compressive strength of white oak in some table somewhere although my first googles came up dry.
Edit: found this page of wood strengths with a little more googling.
Actually the stiles will effectively be .75" x 1.25" taking into account the groove for the panel.
Thanks for your help on this!