On the determination of the modulus of elasticity of plasterboard plates

The importance of an accurate determination of the modulus of elasticity has increased with the development, characterization and manufacturing processes of more complex materials as plasterboards or layered materials. This fact has led to the need of methods beyond the classical stress-strain slope. Several standards can be found describing such procedures in order to determine the Young's modulus. This work presents an analysis of different methods, including the standard ISO 16940. Several of the methods presented are based on the response of the system to a harmonic force as this standard, but this work also presents a method based on the free response of the tested sample to an initial loading condition. This method involves a significant reduction of the experimental procedure and equipment investment. The methods formulation is presented and illustrated with a numerical case based on a finite element model. The methods presented are also used on an actual case: the determination of the modulus of elasticity of a plasterboard. From both cases, conclusions on the accuracy and precision of the methods are stated.