Experimental determination of residual stresses in paperboard

A method for the experimental determination of the through-thickness residual stress distribution in paperboard is presented. The successive removal of thin layers from strips of board through surface grinding changes the stress-state and the bending stiffness resulting in a changed curvature, which is measurable. From tests of strips in both in-plane directions, stress distributions can then be evaluated using the Treuting-Read method. Geometrically nonlinear effects at the large deformations taking place are avoided through a proper choice of strip dimensions. Typical results are presented and factors influencing the accuracy of the determination are thoroughly discussed.