Numerical Prediction of Equivalent Mechanical Properties of Corrugated Paperboard by 3D Finite Element Analysis

This study is to obtain the equivalent (effective) mechanical properties of corrugated paperboard specifically that is widely applied in Korea for packaging of agricultural products. To analyze the equivalent properties of corrugated paperboard, finite element modeling, measurement of the reaction force, and superposition theory for the unit cell were applied. The stress-strain behavior obtained by applying the calculated equivalent mechanical properties to the simplified model of the corrugated paperboard is compared with experimental results. Nine equivalent mechanical properties governing the orthotropic behavior of corrugated paperboard were analyzed through finite element analysis (FEA). The stress-strain behavior of the corrugated paperboard experimentally showed elastic-plastic behavior, although the equivalent mechanical properties applied to the simplified model were elastic properties based on the theoretical approach, so that the finite element analysis results showed linearity. Therefore, when applying the calculated equivalent mechanical properties through FEA, the characteristics of the section where the strain only increases without the increase in the load due to the flute should be taken into consideration.