Finite Element Analysis of Corrugated Board under Bending Stress

Corrugated board is an engineering structure, whose strength characteristics depend on the cross section geometry and the material properties of liner and corrugated medium. Therefore, the board combination (combination of material for preparing corrugated board) of corrugated boards should be optimized with considering the quality characteristics of corrugated board demanded to achieve the optimum packaging design. The board combinations of corrugated boards can be determined by employing the configuration method for the paperboard stiffness and the basis weight. The results of board combinations can greatly affect the buckling resistance and compression strength of the box.(11,15) In order to analyze the effect of the configuration method for the board stiffness and the basis weight, on the flexural stiffness of corrugated board, we performed experiments based on cost- and time-consuming procedures. However, by using a simulation method such as finite element analysis (FEA) has the advantages such as saving of the time and cost in experiments and sample production as well as detailed analysis by adjusting several parameters. In the case of the simulation method, the estimation of reliability and reproducibility of the results should be strongly considered. In this study, we observed the strength optimal design conditions for the corrugated board combinations by analyzing the flexural stiffness index (PSI). The PEA method was used in the study using the four point loading conditions. We found that the difference between the PEA result and the test results were approximately 18-31%. However, it was estimated that the variations in PSI estimated by using both methods are similar. Therefore, we expect that the flexural balance for different. board combinations would be successfully analyzed on the basis of the qualitative comparison of PSI values corresponding to the combinations when the stiffness for each of the liner and the corrugating medium are assumed to be with 2-3 levels.