A Finite Element Investigation of the Role of Adhesive in the Buckling Failure of Corrugated Fiberboard

Considerable research has focused on the role of linerboard and medium components in the overall strength of fiberboard. However, limited research has been done on the role of the adhesive in the structural performance of corrugated fiberboard and the container box. This research study proposed to include the glue material in a finite element (FE) model that represents the actual geometry and material properties of corrugated fiberboard. The model is a detailed representation of the different components of the structure (adhesive, linerboard, medium) to perform buckling analysis of corrugated structures under compressive loads. The objective of this analysis was to quantify the influence of the adhesive on the structural performance of corrugated fiberboard. Adhesive parameters are identified in terms of material properties. The modulus of elasticity of the adhesive is taken relative to the modulus of a linerboard material. Three adhesive stiffness properties representing minimum, medium, and maximum moduli values are considered. The analysis also addresses the buckling failure of fiberboard when adhesion is ineffective along a glueline. Results show that increasing the adhesive modulus (20 times that of linerboard) tends to strengthen the fiberboard buckling carrying capacity up to 50%. Loss of adhesive along a fiberboard glueline also substantially decreases the buckling strength of the structure.