EFFECT OF MICROSTRUCTURE OF CARDBOARD ON ITS MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

The article is devoted to the prediction of mechanical properties on the study of the microstructure of the cross section of cardboard. The results of the work in the future can be used as an addition to standard methods for evaluating the mechanical properties of cardboard. On the basis of images of the microstructure of the cross sections of the two-layer test liner cardboard and their graphic processing using modern computer programs, the lengths of fiber contacts were determined. Guided by the fact that the most significant indicator of all geometric parameters of the microstructure is the length of fiber contacts, the main mechanical properties of cardboard were determined (bursting strength and compression resistance, breaking length, bending stiffness, interlayer strength)produced according to various technologies (conventional method of preparing recovered paper stock, dry defibration of recovered paper with aerodynamic formation of the top layer, dry defibration of recovered paper with subsequent supply of fibers to the stock and dry defibration of recovered paper with subsequent grinding in the stock). Each of the technologies allows to obtain cardboard with different mechanical parameters. It has been established that almost all mechanical indicators depend directly proportionally on the length of the fiber contact lines. The obtained dependencies can be used to predict the mechanical properties of cardboard in its production at industry enterprises.

Analysis of a Preliminary Design Approach for Conformal Lattice Structures

An important issue when designing conformal lattice structures is the geometric modeling and prediction of mechanical properties. This paper presents suitable methods for obtaining optimized conformal lattice structures and validating them without the need for high computational power and time, enabling the designer to have quick feedback in the first design phases. A wireframe modeling method based on non-uniform rational basis spline (NURBS) free-form deformation (FFD) that allows conforming a regular lattice structure inside a design space is presented. Next, a previously proposed size optimization method is adopted for optimizing the cross-sections of lattice structures. Finally, two different commercial finite element software are involved for the validation of the results, based on Euler–Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam theories. The findings highlight the adaptability of the NURBS-FFD modeling approach and the reliability of the size optimization method, especially in stretching-dominated cell topologies and load conditions. At the same time, the limitation of the structural beam analysis when dealing with thick beams is noted. Moreover, the behavior of different kinds of lattices was investigated.

Comparison of mechanical properties of recent and 400-year-old European larch

Wood is considered the leading building material throughout the history of mankind. Wood has several advantages over other construction materials, which also makes it one of the most promising materials of the future. The environmental aspect also plays a major role today, as wood is a natural, renewable resource whose processing is very energy-intensive. Due to its repeated and widespread use in construction, the prediction of mechanical properties and their change over time is also very well known, as the overall safety of all buildings also depends on it. Therefore, we compared the mechanical properties of fresh European larch (Larix decidua) and 400-year-old larch found in the Ruard manor house on the Stara Sava in Jesenice, where the renovation of Upper Sava Museum is currently underway. In order to predict what will happen to the wood in the long term, it is necessary to expose the wood to the same conditions, i.e. to change it with dynamic loads or material fatigue. The effect of aging on flexural strength has not been confirmed. Fatigue results show that old wood withstood about 18 times fewer load cycles than recent larch wood.