Corrugated containers are widely used for packaging various products. The compressive strength of corrugated fiberboard determines the compressive strength of the corrugated container, which is one of the most important required properties. To obtain higher compressive strength, various measures can be taken, such as raising the basis weight, adding more kraft pulp or using more fluting medium. However these measures generally increase the cost.Here we report the results of our study on flute structure with a view to improving the edgewise compression strength of corrugated fiberboard without increasing costs. Our method is to simulate the deformation behavior of an edgewise crush test (ECT) using finite element method (FEM). In our study, the compressive strength of corrugated fiberboard was estimated through the following procedure.Firstly, the compressive strengths (Sc) of the liner and the fluting medium were ascertained by carrying out short-span compression tests (SCTs). Next, these SCTs were simulated, then the maximum equivalent stress at the point at which the model reached Sc was regarded as the failure criterion. The compressive strength of the corrugated fiberboard was assumed to be equal to the reaction force at the point at which the liner or the fluting medium reached the failure criterion in the ECT simulation. In the FEM simulation, nonlinear structural analysis was carried out under the assumption that both the liner and the fluting medium behave as orthotropic elastic-plastic materials. The model of corrugated fiberboard was constructed of shell elements.On the other hand, a series of experimental corrugated fiberboards with various flute shapes (U-shape, V-shape, UV-shape and so on) were prepared, then their edgewise compression strengths were compared.As a result, the V-shape with the larger glue width was found to have the most advantageous flute structure in terms of strength and cost.