Stacking Characteristics of Composite Cardboard Boxes

This paper presents a simplified model and method for finding the deflection char acteristics of stacked cardboard boxes, provided the load-deflection characteristic of the box is known. A computer program, based on this model, allows the stability of stacked boxes to be investigated and to indicate the limits to the height of the stack and box parameters required to prevent stack toppling.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68424/2/10.1177_073168448300200302.pd

Material variability and wood joist floor response

CER75-76RVG-MEC-JRG-MDV-JB46.May 1976.Includes bibliographical references

Layered beam systems with interlayer slip

CER72-73MFK-JRG-MDV-MEC-JB27.December, 1972.Includes bibliographical references (pages 118-120).This report describes a portion of a study on wood joist floor systems. The objective of this portion of the study is to develop a general theory for the analysis of the layered beams within the system including the effects of interlayer slip. The development leads to the governing equations for beams having a single axis of symmetry and an arbitrary number of layers and fastened together with mechanical connectors. Solutions to the governing equations are presented in closed form and in finite difference approximation. These solutions show the effect of interlayer connection on the deflection. In all cases, consideration is given to variation of properties along the beam length. The results of some tests are presented. The proposed theory is shown to agree favorably with the results obtained in the tests

Analysis of the seismic performance of a two storey log house

The dearth of knowledge on the load resistance mechanisms of log houses and the need for developing numerical models that are capable of simulating the actual behaviour of these structures has pushed efforts to research the relatively unexplored aspects of log house construction. The aim of the research that is presented in this paper is to build a working model of a log house that will contribute toward understanding the behaviour of these structures under seismic loading. The paper presents the results of a series of shaking table tests conducted on a log house and goes on to develop a numerical model of the tested house. The finite element model has been created in SAP2000 and validated against the experimental results. The modelling assumptions and the difficulties involved in the process have been described and, finally, a discussion on the effects of the variation of different physical and material parameters on the results yielded by the model has been drawn up.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union‘s Seventh Framework Programme [FP7/2007-2013] under grant agreement n°227887 (SERIES)

Mechanical behaviour of phenolic coated Finnish birch plywood with simulated service damage

This paper investigates the mechanical behaviour of Finnish birch ($\textit{Betula pendula}$ and $\textit{Betula pubescens}$) plywood commonly used in road freight trailer decking. A series of tests have been performed to characterize the mechanical performance of the material and the effect of in-service damage that is likely to occur when the material is used in this application. Moisture damage, indentation damage, and abrasive wear are all recreated in the laboratory and the severity of each is assessed. In particular, the effect of indentation damage on flexural properties is compared against the effect of moisture damage. It is found that while indentation damage can often appear more severe during a visual inspection, it generally has a lesser effect on flexural stiffness and strength compared to moisture damage. While the effect of moisture damage on flexural properties is well documented, the effect of indentation damage is previously less well understood. Both indentation damage and moisture damage significantly increase variance in flexural stiffness, but not flexural strength. This work provides a practical insight into whether damaged road freight trailer decking can still withstand in-service loadings. It also provides a benchmark for the performance of novel deck systems such as composite sandwich panels and glass-fibre pultrusions.Centre for Sustainable Road Freight; Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [Grant ID: EP/K00915X/1

Elastic response of cross-laminated engineered bamboo panels subjected to in-plane loading

© ICE Publishing: All rights reserved. Novel cross-laminated bamboo panels comprising three and five layers (G-XLam3 and G-XLam5) were tested in compression along the main (0°) and the transverse (90°) directions. Linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) and non-contact three-dimensional digital image correlation (DIC) measuring techniques were used separately to measure deformation in the elastic region, and the elastic moduli, Ep C,0 and Ep C,90, were derived. Mean elastic modulus values obtained using LVDTs exhibited a good match with analytically predicted values. In contrast, the elastic values obtained by the DIC method were considerably higher and presented a considerable scatter of results. For instance, the Ep C,0 for G-XLam3 and G-XLam5 panels were 17·22 and 15·67 GPa, and 14·86 and 12·48 GPa, using the DIC and LVDT methods, respectively. In general, G-XLam panels with a fifth of the cross-sectional thickness and twice the density of analogous cross-laminated timber exhibited an approximately two-fold increase in Ep C,0 and Ep C,90. Overall, this research provides guidelines for the assessment and standardisation of the testing procedures for similar engineered bamboo products using contact and non-contact methods and highlights the potential of using G-XLam panels in stiffness-driven applications and in combination with wood for structural purposes