Experimental and Numerical Studies of Two- and Three-Layer Corrugated Boards in Bending Test

This paper deals with the analysis of four-point bending two- and three-layer corrugated boards along the direction perpendicular to the machine direction. The taken segments of paperboard were examined to determine the bending stiffness for three different configurations. The investigations were carried out experimentally and numerically. The tests of bending were analysed only in the elastic range of the material. Each configuration of paperboard was modelled as an orthotropic material. The numerical analysis was based on the finite element method by applying Ansys® software. Several material properties and the thicknesses of papers were assumed to determine the general stiffness in bending. In the analysis, two different discrete models based on geometries of the paperboard were elaborated to adjust the results to the experimental ones. The results of analyses for some configurations showed good agreement with the experiment. This paper indicates some differences in stiffness between two- and three-layer paperboards.