Design of different types of corrugated board packages using finite element tools

摘要: From a structural point of view, corrugated board would fit on the category of sandwich structures, which in sectors as aeronautics or construction are today commonly analysed using simulation tools that are based on the Finite Element Method. However, in spite of similarities to applications in other materials, FEM simulation of corrugated board is a high challenging modelling task due not only to the need of addressing properly the complex mechanical modelling of paper itself, but also because of phenomena that are directly related to the corrugated structure, as the relationships between local and global instability failure modes. The present paper, through a set of application examples, shows how different ABAQUS modelling capabilities (SC8R elements, composite sections, connector elements,…) can be applied for solving the different difficulties that arise when modelling corrugated board. The integration of these capabilities has led to the development of virtual prototypes for the two most common corrugated board packages: B1 boxes and agricultural trays. From the experience in these box types, and taking advantage from the inherent modelling simplicity of the composite layered models together to the flexibility offered by the available modelling techniques in ABAQUS, these virtual prototypes have been extended as a design tool for very different types of corrugated board packages.