# Prediction of Deflection Due to Multistage Loading of a Corrugated Package
###### Abstract  
With the expansion of overseas markets, transportation distance, storage periods in warehouses, and traffic volume of goods are increasing. In this distribution environment, the safety problem due to the decrease in the strength of the multistacked corrugated package is becoming very important. This study aims to develop a CAE prediction technology for the height change of multistacked corrugated packages, and for this study, the FEA simulation method for existing corrugated packages has been investigated and supplemented. The four-point bending FE model and the box compression test FE model were also constructed based on the simplified and homogenized composite model for the target corrugated fiberboard (double wall of EB-flute) itself. Four-point bending, box compression, and creep tests were performed to obtain the material constant required for FEA simulation. Through the comparison of the F-D curve area between the test and the FEA simulation, parameter optimization that minimizes the area difference was performed using HyperStudy. The FEA simulation and stacking test for the multistacked target corrugated package were performed simultaneously on four actual stacking scenarios with different package weights and package sizes. A comparison of height changes after 72 h of stacking for each of the four scenarios showed that the concordance between the test and FEA simulation was more than 80% in all cases. To further expand the scope of this application, it is necessary to secure additional reliability through continuous comparative monitoring using the test data and physical properties of various corrugated fiberboards. corrugated fiberboard; box creep; finite element analysis; corrugated package +
Footnote †: journal: Applied Sciences  
Various studies have been conducted to accurately predict the mechanical behavior of corrugated packages and fiberboards; in addition, prediction methods using finite element analysis (FEA) have been suggested. A parametric study on the buckling strength of corrugated fiberboards accounts for a significant portion of the application of FEA [2]. [PERSON] [3] applied FEA to analyze the post-buckling strength of a corrugated fiberboard panel subjected to edge compressive loading, and [PERSON] et al. [4] analyzed the critical buckling load and buckling shape of an edgewise crush resistance test (ECT) model of a corrugated fiberboard through FEA. In addition, some studies [5; 6] have applied FEA to analyze the strength of various test specimens used in the international standard ECT of corrugated fiberboard. The FEA model has also been applied to analyze the bending stiffness [7; 8; 9], flat crush resistance [2], and dynamically advantageous board combination of corrugated fiberboards [10]. The application of the FEA simulation to the design optimization of corrugated packages through the analysis of various mechanical behaviors of corrugated fiberboards has contributed significantly to the literature, as it can cover areas beyond the limits of experimental approaches. However, the long time required for modeling and conducting the FEA of complex corrugated structures, as well as limitations in applying FEA material constants and convergence problems in FEA, has been pointed out by several researchers, and several efforts have been made to solve these problems. One solution is to represent complex corrugated structures as simplified models and determine their equivalent (effective) mechanical properties [2; 11; 12; 13]. Corrugated fiberboard, a material used for fabricating packaging boxes, is a composite material manufactured by stacking liners, and the corrugating medium has anisotropic properties. Although the geometric properties of the corrugated fiberboard can be considered in detail when analyzing its properties, it is extremely difficult to model because of the structure of folds made while manufacturing the box, wherein the corrugated fiberboard is cut and folded through scoring and creasing.