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A computationally efficient method to study the in-plane and out-of-plane dimensional instability of thin paper sheets under the influence of moisture changes is presented. The method explicitly resolves the bonded and the free segments of fibers in the sheet, capturing the effect of anisotropic hygroexpansion at the fiber level. The method is verified against a volumetric model. The importance of longitudinal fiber hygroexpansion is demonstrated in spite of the absolute value of longitudinal hygroexpansion being an order of magnitude lower than the transverse hygroexpansion component. Finally, the method is used to demonstrate the formation of macroscopic sheet curl due to a moisture gradient in structurally uniform sheets in the absence of viscoelastic or plastic constitutive behavior and through-thickness residual stress profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many materials of everyday use are fibrous and their strength is important in most applications. In this work we study the dependence of the strength of random fiber networks on structural parameters such as the network density, cross-link density, fiber tortuosity, and the strength of the inter-fiber cross-links. Athermal networks of cellular and fibrous type are considered. We conclude that the network strength scales linearly with the cross-link number density and with the cross-link strength for a broad range of network parameters, and for both types of networks considered. Network strength is independent of fiber material properties and of fiber tortuosity. This information can be used to design fiber networks for specified strength and, generally, to understand the mechanical behavior of fibrous materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A number of problems associated with dimensional stability of paper products have to do with hygroexpansion in response to changes in humidity or moisture content. The main underlying mechanism of hygroexpansion in paper is the effect of the change of fiber cross-sections transferred through fiber bonds. In fact, the transverse expansion of fibers can be an order of magnitude greater than the longitudinal expansion. Addressing such problems using modeling on the microscale is associated with large computational costs since both the bonds and the fibers need to be resolved. We present a method for modeling the hygro or thermal expansion of interconnected fiber networks modeled with beam elements and connected through beam-to-beam contact. Being a line structure, beams can only support pointwise contact, which poses a challenge for modeling the force transfer induced by the deformation of the cross-sections at the contact point. The idea of implementing the stress transfer is to use a concurrent multiscale approach in which the bond level is resolved in detail using the configuration of the fibers and the computed strains are passed over to the beam elements. We verify and prove the applicability of this approach by comparing it with continuum models. We demonstrate the advantage of using this approach in terms of its tremendous saving in time. The use of beam models for modeling the hygro- or thermal expansion of fiber networks enables considering relevant sizes in the problems involving dimensional stability, in particular those associated with embedded inhomogeneities. We will show the applicability of the model by providing insights into published experimental observations on the hygroexpansion properties of paper products. Finally, we will demonstrate that the use of a 2D model to simulate the inter-fiber bonds in a network, not only leads to underestimation of out-of-plane deformations, but also to overestimation of the contribution of the transverse deformation of fibers to the in-plane dimensional change of the network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fracture process in two fiber network materials, a low- and a high-density paper, is analyzed experimentally and numerically. The high-density paper is able to localize continued fracture to very small defects while a rather large defect is required in the low-density paper. Whereas the high-density paper has a homogeneous and limited variation in local mass density, the low-density paper is substantially more heterogeneous and has a higher local mass density variation. It is hypothesized that these fairly large regions of lower mass density govern the fracture process in paper and similar fiber network materials. A nonlocal fracture model is applied to describe and capture this length scale phenomenon and intents to simulate forces bridged over distant regions in the material via connected fibers. The suggested fracture hypothesis is consistent with experiments and hence offers an explanation to why network materials with different mass density variation may fracture differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laminated paperboard and paper is widely used in packaging products. Its out-of-plane properties play a crucial role in converting paperboard to a carton through the creasing and folding process. The aim of this study is to describe the out-of-plane mechanical response with an elastic-plastic model based on the observed experimental behavior. The model was derived from a thermodynamic framework and was based on the multiplicative split of the deformation gradient in the context of hyperelasticity. A structural tensor-based approach was applied to model the elastic deformation, while a multi-surface based yield criterion was adopted to describe the plastic behavior. The model considers both material densification and internal friction effects, which were observed experimentally. According to the experimental behavior, a quadratic yield locus under pure shear loading was assumed in the model. Finally, the model was validated with a cylinder compression test and found to capture the highly anisotropic, elastic-plastic behavior accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laminated paperboard and paper is widely used in packaging products. It generally exhibits highly anisotropic and nonlinear mechanical behavior. The aim of this study is to describe the in-plane material behavior with an orthotropic elastic-plastic model based on the observed experimental behavior. A structural tensor-based approach was applied to model the elastic deformation, while a multi-surface based yield criterion was adopted to describe the yield behavior. The model incorporated nonlinear kinematic and isotropic hardening to capture the anisotropic hardening effect. In the experiment, the compressive yield stress was found to be insensitive to the previous tensile deformation. The proposed model could capture this compression yield stress preserving effect under reverse loading, which in turn reduced the required material parameters as expected. With the material parameters calibrated from a set of simple uniaxial tests in various directions, the model was shown to predict the stress-strain behavior for other orientations satisfactorily. The model was further validated with experiments under complex loading conditions and found to capture the highly anisotropic, elastic-plastic behavior accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An in-plane elasto-plastic material model and a hygroexpansivity-shrinkage model for paper and board are introduced in this paper. The input parameters for both models are fiber orientation anisotropy and dry solids content. These two models, based on experimental results, could be used in an analytical approach to estimate, for example, plastic strain and shrinkage in simple one-dimensional cases, but for studies of the combined and more complicated effects of hygro-elasto-plastic behavior, a numerical finite element model was constructed. The finite element approach also offered possibilities for studying different structural variations of an orthotropic sheet as well as buckling behavior and internal stress situations under local strain differences. A few examples are presented of the effect of the anisotropy and moisture streaks under stretching and drying conditions on strain differences and buckling. The internal stresses were studied through a case in which the drying of different layers occurred at different stages. Both the anisotropy and moisture streaks were capable of rendering the buckling of the sample visible. The permanency of these defects highly depends on several process stages and tension conditions of the sheet, as demonstrated in this paper. The application possibilities of the hygro-elasto-plastic model are diverse, including investigation into several phenomena and defects appearing in drying, converting and printing process conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant dimensional variations may occur in paper-based materials when subjected to changes in moisture content. Moisture induced deformations are governed by the swelling of individual fibres, which is transferred through inter-fibre bonds to the entire fibrous network. Complex interactions between mechanical and hygro-expansive properties take place in the bonding areas, affecting the overall material response. In most network models, the role of these inter-fibre bonds is not explicitly incorporated. This work presents a periodic meso-structural model for the discrete fibrous network, which considers the free-standing fibre segments and inter-fibre bonds. Despite its simplicity, the reference unit-cell enables the incorporation of relevant micro- and meso-structural features such as network structure, fibres and bond geometry and hygro-elastic properties. The proposed model is solved analytically through a proper homogenization strategy, allowing to recover the paper’s anisotropic hygro-mechanical response in terms of effective elastic constants and effective hygro-expansive coefficients, exploiting the coupling at the meso-structural level between hygroscopic and mechanical behavior. A comparison with experimental results obtained from the literature shows that the presented approach is quite accurate in predicting the overall paper response, thereby revealing the influence of several meso-scale parameters (e.g. fibre orientation, dimensions, mechanical strength). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The rheological nature of paper or board is usually treated either as elasto-plastic or as viscoelastic depending on the studied paper making process or behavior in converting and end use. In this paper we study several stress–strain curve models and the determination of material parameters from an elasto-plastic point of view. Finally, a suitable approach for all stress–strain curves measured from 180 strips is constructed using a linear function for an elastic region and a nonlinear function for a strain hardening region. This model determines a proportional limit (elastic limit) and gives fairly elegant dependencies between material/fitting parameters and two important factors of mechanical properties of paper: dry solids content and anisotropy. In this paper the dependency of a plastic strain on dry solids content and anisotropy is estimated using the introduced stress–strain curve model. Correspondingly, the model can be used to estimate many other mechanical behaviors, for example, the tension differences arising from non-uniform moisture content of the paper web profile. However, the main target of this study is to produce competent parameters based on modeled stress–strain curves for further construction of a material model. This elasto-plastic material model will be utilized in out-of-plane deformation and fracture models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a method to predict the through-thickness moisture content distribution and associated induced deformations of paper and cardboard sheets as they are subjected to relative humidity changes. The transient moisture diffusion problem is solved using a “natural” analytic approach that has previously been applied for solving transient heat conduction in multi-layer solids. The deformation behaviour of the sheet during the moisture diffusion process is predicted using a semi-analytical approach based on a Rayleigh–Ritz minimization of the total potential energy. Geometrically nonlinear effects are taken into account. Curvatures of the originally flat sheet are predicted as a function of time, as are the shapes of the sheet for steady-state condition. As multiple solutions exist, stability is studied. The developed model was used to study the deformation behaviour of one paper and two cardboard sheets. Comparisons with finite-element results demonstrate that the developed model provides accurate results. The displacements obtained for steady-state conditions are within +6%. Comparisons with previous steady-state analyses reveal important differences in the shape of one cardboard sheet. This suggests that the moisture diffusion process may influence the configuration assumed by the sheet at steady-state equilibrium. Hence, it may be necessary to take the moisture diffusion into account in the analysis to accurately predict the hygro-mechanical behaviour of paper or cardboard sheets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper a simplified network model for mechano-sorptive creep is presented, which is a further development of an earlier paper [Strömbro, J., Gudmundson, P., 2008. Mechano-sorptive creep under compressive loading – a micromechanical model. International Journal of Solids and Structures 45 (9), 2420–2450.]. It is assumed that the anisotropic hygroexpansion of the fibres leads to large stresses at the fibre bonds when the moisture content changes. The resulting stress state will accelerate creep if the fibre material obeys a constitutive law that is non-linear. Fibre kinks are included in order to capture experimental observations of larger mechano-sorptive effects in compression than in tension. Moisture dependent material parameters and anisotropy in the fibre distribution have been introduced. Theoretical predictions based on the model are compared to experimental results for an anisotropic paper both under tensile and compressive loading at varying moisture content and it is found that the important features in the experiments are captured by the model. Different kinds of drying conditions have also been examined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cockling of paper is a common problem occurring in the production, storage and end-use of paper. It is usually induced by a moisture content change. In many cases, cockling is an irreversible phenomenon; i.e. the initial shape is not obtained although the initial moisture content is restored. This kind of moisture content change occurs in copying machines and in the printing process, for example. In this paper, we present a continuum mechanical model, which is used to study the irreversible cockling of paper. In the model, paper is treated as an orthotropic elasto-plastic material and the model takes into account the small-scale variation of fibre orientation. The model is used to show the importance of the through-thickness moisture gradient on the cockling phenomenon during a cyclic moisture content change. The results suggest that the moisture gradient is a crucial factor for the irreversible cockling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The creep of paper is accelerated by moisture cycling, an effect known as mechano-sorptive creep. It has also been observed that the mechano-sorptive effects are larger in compression than in tension. In this paper a simplified network model for mechano-sorptive creep is presented. It is assumed that the anisotropic hygroexpansion of the fibres leads to large stresses at the fibre–fibre bonds when the moisture content changes. The resulting stress state will accelerate creep if the fibre material obeys constitutive laws that are non-linear in stress. Geometrical fibre effects are included in the model in order to capture experimental observations of the differences between paper loaded in tension and compression. Theoretical predictions based on the developed model are compared to experimental results for paper both under tensile and compressive loading at varying moisture content. The important features in the experiments are captured by the model, i.e. the creep is accelerated by the moisture cycling and the mechano-sorptive effects are larger in compression than in tension. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, a computational micromechanics material model for the unloading behavior of paper and other nonwoven materials is presented. The asymptotic fiber and bond (AFB) model for paper elastic–plastic behavior [Sinha, S.K., Perkins, R.W., 1995. Micromechanics constitutive model for use in finite element analysis, In: Proceedings of the 1995, Joint ASME Applied Mechanics and Materials Summer Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, USA, Jun 28–30, 1995] has been extended to model the unloading process through a computational algorithm and implemented using the UMAT subroutine in ABAQUS finite element code. For every unloading increment, the material model assumes elastic unloading with a slope equal to the initial elastic modulus. The Jacobian matrix of the constitutive model is updated at every unloading increment by applying the incremental form of AFB model for a planar element with an elastic fiber and bond condition. A uniaxial tensile and a biaxial Mullen burst loading–unloading experiments were carried out for a paperboard sample and simulated using the model. The stress–strain curve and residual strain for the uniaxial loading were in good agreement with experimental results. The finite element model of the burst test with the AFB unloading material model predicted the general shape of the pressure versus deflection curve. However, the model over predicted the residual deflection by more than 50%. The loading portion of the pressure–deflection curve had a significant offset from experimental curves, and the nonlinearity in the unloading curve towards the end was not predicted. The discrepancies with experimental results are attributed to the burst test itself, model parameter estimation inadequacies, boundary conditions used in the FEA, and neglecting time-dependant effects. Nevertheless, the model can be useful in parametric studies relating microstructure to unloading behavior in structural problems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we look at ring dislocations (circular loops) in an infinite isotropic full-space. The dislocation direction is either axial or radial. Unlike dislocations in plane analysis the path cut has a significant effect on the elastic fields. Solutions for the dislocations are given for a variety of path cuts with closed form expressions for the displacement and stress fields. When considered alone these dislocations do not obey Frank’s rule; these anomalies and other fundamental properties are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, the notion of loss of sustainability of a mechanical state in a granular assembly is investigated. The vanishing of the second-order work, defined on the macroscopic scale from tensorial variables, is shown to play a fundamental role in detecting the occurrence of this type of bifurcation. Then a link is established between the macroscopic second-order work on the specimen scale and a discrete local expression that introduces microscopic variables defined on each contact scale. This relation opens up a micro-mechanical interpretation allowing one to examine which micro-structural features are responsible for the vanishing of the macroscopic second-order work. Finally, it is established that both geometrical and material micro-structural origins may combine to induce the occurrence of bifurcation on a specimen scale. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to describe a simple dynamic crack propagation experiment which reproduces two phenomena: mixed-mode propagation and crack stop and restart. This experiment is explained and interpreted using X-FEM simulations. We show that a simple fracture theory which consists in using a dynamic crack initiation toughness, a crack orientation along the maximum principal stress and a simple equation for the calculation of the crack speed is sufficient to explain what is observed experimentally. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The creep of paper is accelerated by moisture cycling. This effect is known as mechano-sorptive creep. It is assumed that this is an effect of transient stresses produced during moisture content changes in combination with non-linear creep behaviour of the fibres. The stresses produced by the moisture content changes are often much larger than the applied mechanical loads. If this is the case, the mechanical loads are only a perturbation to the internal stress state, and it will appear as if the mechano-sorptive creep is linear in stress. It is possible to take advantage of this feature. In the present report the pure moisture problem is first solved. The mechanical load is then treated as a perturbation of the solution to the moisture problem. Using this strategy, it is possible to linearize a non-linear network model for mechano-sorptive creep and to formulate a continuum model. As a result, the number of variables in the model is reduced. This is a significant improvement as it will be possible to use the linearized model to describe the material in a finite element program and solve problems with complicated geometries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]