Corrugated Wood Composite Panels For Structural Decking

Preliminary Panel Geometry StudiesThe first stage of this project involves the selection of suitable corrugationprofiles based on these criteria: structural performance, manufacturability, andcompatibility with current construction practices. A flat-top cross section was used in thisstudy instead of a sine wave cross section for two reasons. First, the moment of inertia fora sine wave cross section is less compared to a flat-top cross section with the samewavelength (period) and overall depth (amplitude). Second, a flat-top cross sectionprovides flat surfaces to simplify the attachment of flat panels as underlayment on top orto attach to joists at the bottom.The general corrugation geometry chosen for this project is shown in Figure 2. Ingeneral, the upper deck width and the lower deck width can be different (unequal wave).However, an equal wavelength section was selected for geometry design studies becauseit has some advantages over the unequal wavelength section from the construction pointof view. The equal wavelength sections reduce possible confusion in panel placementduring construction, because the section is vertically symmetric and the mechanicalproperties are the same, no matter which side of the panel is placed as top.wsidewallupper deckwdeck openinghθneutral axistlower deckFigure 2: Geometric variables defining the corrugation profile.8