Edge-compression fixture for buckling studies of corrugated board panels

A test fixture, developed for evaluating the preand postbuckling response of simply supported, nearly flat, rectangular corrugated board panels subjected to edge compression is evaluated. The test fixture enables loading of panels into the postbuckling regime until collapse. The shadowmoiré method verified that buckling in the first mode occurred, and that there was symmetry of the adge-boundary conditions. Through an iterative regression model, experimental curves of load versus out-of-plane displacement for isotropic panels were fitted to an equation governing the nonlinear postbuckling response. This method provides the critical buckling load, a postbuckling parameter and the amplitude of initial imperfection of the panel. Comparison with analytical results revealed that simply supported boundary conditions were closely achieved. Examination of compressively loaded corrugated board panels showed that collapse occurred due to compressive failures of the facings in the highly stressed edge regions without severe influence from stress concentrations at load introduction and edge supports.