Review on homogenization of corrugated materials. State-of-the-art in modeling of corrugated board

Corrugated materials, particularly corrugated board, form the backbone of contemporary packaging due to their light weight and high-strength properties. The application of numerical homogenization techniques to model and predict the mechanical behavior of these materials has evolved significantly, enabling refined structural design and optimization. This review examines advances in the homogenization of corrugated structures, with an emphasis on analytical, numerical, and experimental approaches as applied to corrugated board. Developments in the theoretical modeling of key mechanical properties, such as elasticity, bending, and shear stiffness, are highlighted, alongside methods for predicting structural responses under varying loading conditions. Efforts to optimize structural design through homogenization and the integration of digital tools, including artificial intelligence, are also discussed. Additionally, challenges in adapting homogenization models to account for environmental factors such as humidity and temperature, which impact mechanical properties, are analyzed. The review concludes by outlining future research directions and opportunities for bridging theoretical advances with practical applications in corrugated material design and usage.