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Mechanics of fibre networks and materials

Course content:

Paper constitutes one of the most complex materials among those you encounter in your daily life. In this course, you will be exposed to the intricate mechanics of paper through a number of case studies, in which we will investigate real problems and learn how to solve them.

There is a wide class of materials where a fiber network is the main load-carrying component. This class encompasses paper, paperboard, tissue and many biopolymers. These materials are known to have outstanding stiffness-to-mass ratio, which is one of the reasons they are so abundant in nature. We will study this class of materials by considering paper and its applications. Despite being simple in use, paper constitutes one of the most complex materials among those you encounter in your daily life.

Paper can be easily tested mechanically and exhibits a range of behavior during converting and end-use. Paper is heterogeneous and anisotropic. In several applications, it is used beyond its elastic limit. The strength of paper is size-dependent and is different in tension and compression. Furthermore, paper absorbs water, which changes its mechanical properties and dimensions.

Learning objectives:

After the course, the students should be able to

– describe and analyse important paper technology applications using correct solid mechanics terminology,

– relate the results from the most important methods for mechanical testing of paper and board to the appropriate solid mechanics terminology,

– describe important aspects of the constitutive modelling of paper and board for analyses of converting and end-use applications,

– demonstrate the benefits of mathematical modelling and numerical analyses in paper technology applications,

– discuss and argue for experimental and numerical results orally and in writing, and

– appreciate the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of using paper as a renewable material.

August 29 - December 16, 2022

ECTS:

  • 8

LOCATION:

  • Stockholm

REGISTER BEFORE:

August 29, 2022

Schedule:

Contributors:

Prof. Artem Kulachenko Prof. Sören Östlund Docent Mikael Nygårds

Literature:

S. Östlund and K. Niskanen (Ed.), Mechanics of Paper Products (2nd edition), Walter de Gruyter, 2021. (DOI:10.1515/9783110619386/html). It will do as well if you have access to the 1st edition. The textbook is available at most major online book stores. Unfortunately, the price is around 90 €.

Prerequisites:

Course fee:

Course responsible:

Prof. Artem Kulachenko, Prof. Sören Östlund, Docent Mikael Nygårds
soren@kth.se
  • The course is given by KTH
KTH logotype

All lectures will be in the Seminar Room 4303 at Teknikringen 8D, 1st floor on KTH in Stockholm, and online in Zoom (https://kth-se.zoom.us/j/63123284936) except where otherwise stated.

Week 35 2022

Monday 29 August 13:15-15:00

Lecture 0 - Introduction to the course. Fibers and fiber network materials.

Artem Kulachenko

Wednesday 31 August 08:15-10:00

Lecture 1 - Paper as an engineering material - Papermaking and tensile testing

Sören Östlund

Week 36 2022

Tuesday 6 September 13:15-15:00

Lecture 2 - Paper as an engineering material - In-plane and ZD testing

Sören Östlund

Wednesday 7 September 08:15-10:00

Lecture 3 - Package performance. Part 1

Sören Östlund

Week 38 2022

Monday 19 September 13:15-15:00

Lecture 4 - Behavior of corners in paperboard boxes

Mikael Nygårds

Tuesday 20 September 13:15-15:00

Lecture 5 - Package performance. Part 2

Sören Östlund

Week 39 2022

Monday 26 September 13:15-17:00 or Tuesday 27 September 08:00-12:00

Laboratory 1

Room: Solid Mechanics Laboratory, Teknikringen 8D, 1st floor

Week 40 2022

Monday 3 October 13:15-15:00

Lecture 6 - Paper handling systems

Artem Kulachenko

Tuesday 11 October 13:15-15:00

Lecture 7 - Fracture properties. Part 1

Sören Östlund

Week 41 2022

Tuesday 4 October 13:15-15:00

Lecture 8 - Statistical aspects of failure of paper product

Artem Kulachenko

Week 44 2022

Monday 31 October 15:15-17:00

Lecture 9 - Fracture properties. Part 2

Sören Östlund

Wednesday 2 November 15:15-17:00

Lecture 10 - Moisture-induced deformatiWednesday. Part 1

Artem Kulachenko

Friday 4 November 13:15-15:00

Lecture 11 - Moisture-induced deformatiWednesday. Part 2

Artem Kulachenko

Week 45 2022

Monday 7 November 16:15-18:00

Lecture 12 - Time-dependent phenomena and environmental considerations. Part 1

Sören Östlund

Wednesday 9 November 16:15-18:00

Lecture 13 - Time-dependent phenomena and environmental considerations. Part 2

Sören Östlund

Week 46 2022

Monday 14 November 13:15-17:00 or Tuesday 15 November 13:00-17:00

Laboratory 2

Room: Solid Mechanics Laboratory, Teknikringen 8D, 1st floor

Week 47 2022

Monday 21 November 15:15-17:00

Lecture 14 - Nip mechanics

Artem Kulachenko

Friday 25 November 13:15-15:00

Lecture 15 - Network mechanics. Part 1

Artem Kulachenko

Week 48 2022

Friday 2 December 13:15-15:00

Lecture 16 - Network mechanics. Part 2

Artem Kulachenko

Week 49 2022

Tuesday 6 December 13:15-17:00

Computer Laboratory 3

Room: Solid Mechanics – Track room, Teknikringen 8D, grund floor

Friday 9 December 13:15-17:00

Computer Laboratory 3

Room: Solid Mechanics – Track room, Teknikringen 8D, grund floor

Week 50 2022

Wednesday 14 December 15:15-17:00

Seminar

Friday 16 December 13:15-15:00

Lecture 17 - Network mechanics. Part 3. Overview of the course.

Artem Kulachenko

About Treesearch

Treesearch aims at creating a national platform to support the research on new materials from the forest. Research projects conducted within Treesearch research areas and the researchers who are active in these projects are welcome to join the platform.

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Contact

Email
info@treesearch.se

Mail adress
Teknikringen 38a
100 44 Stockholm

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