Corrugated Wood Composite Panels For Structural Decking

would assume classical plate theory is more suitable for modeling corrugated panels.Nevertheless, classical plate theory was not used because of the difficulties in solving thegoverning plate bending differential equation. The solution to a more comprehensivemodel lies in the use of computing power and the finite element method. Hence, finiteelement models were constructed to analyze the behavior of corrugated panels moreaccurately.Molding trials of a corrugated pattern on an 18”x18” press was the third phase.Small panels were produced at pilot scale with randomly formed mats and with typicalOSB three-layer orientation mat to investigate the basic molding behavior. Thesespecimens were examined visually at critical areas to ensure the design geometry wascapable of producing defect-free shallow corrugated panels. The small panel specimenswere used to evaluate strong axis bending, transverse bending (weak axis), shear andbearing capacities of the design section.Full-scale 4-ft x 8-ft panel production on a large press followed as soon as thetesting of small panels was completed. A set of aluminum dies and a mat loading devicewere fabricated for this process. The mat for these full-scale panels was formedrandomly. These specimens were tested in bending both with and without an OSB toplayer nailed-glued to the corrugated panels. Flexure tests were conducted on single-spanand two-span conditions with both nominal 24” and 32” span (22.5” and 30.5” clearspan).Load sharing between the corrugated deck system (OSB top layer nailed-glued tocorrugated panel) and the supporting joist was also studied. Four composite actionspecimens were built for this purpose. These test specimens consisted of a 24” wide deck6