ANÁLISIS COMPARATIVO DE MODELOS NUMÉRICOS BASADOS EN EL MÉTODO DE LOS ELEMENTOS FINITOS DE TABLEROS DE CONTRACHAPADO DE CHOPO

Abstract

Black poplar plywood panels are a relatively new composite with a wide range of potential applications. Specially, these panels are being used for decoration and structural proposes. However, a huge number of experimental tests are required to determine the mechanical properties of these composites prior being implemented as a structural element. Here, FEM simulations arise as a promising technique to predict the behaviour of the panels under different conditions. These rapid predictions will accelerate the introduction of plywood panels in civil engineering filed without affording big expenses. In this paper, two different approaches are tested using the commercial software ABAQUS©. In the first one, boards are modelled as a sum of individual plies with known properties while in the second one, boards are analysed as unique homogeneous entity. Both models are validated against the Kirchhoff-Love theory of plates. Results show that FEM simulations are able to accurately predict the deformation of plywood boards under bending forces. However, the more realistic homogeneous shell approach remains slightly far away from the results of the theory of plates. Therefore, future works should be focused on obtaining experimental data in order to fully understand and validate the numerical simulations. Keywords: blackpoplar plywood panels;finite element method; theory of plates.