Finite Element Corroboration of Buckling Phenomena Observed in Corrugated Boxes1

Conventional compression strength formulas for corrugated fiberboard boxes are limited to geometry and material that produce an elastic postbuckling failure.Inelastic postbuckling can occur in squatty boxes and trays, but a mechanistic rationale for unifying observed strength data is lacking. This study combines a finite element model with a parametric design of the geometry and material characteristics affecting the critical buckling stress of box panels to examine their postbuckling response. The finite element model enables a broad scope of simulated panels to be examined economically. Results lead to a postbuckling model fit to the predictions and a better understanding of how to unify elastic and inelastic failure data from actual experiments and form a more general box strength formula