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An Experimental Study on Wrinkling Behaviours and Characteristics of Gossamer Space Structures
Author(s) -
Wang C.,
Du X.,
Wan Z.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
strain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.477
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1475-1305
pISSN - 0039-2103
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-1305.2007.00335.x
Subject(s) - wrinkle , materials science , deformation (meteorology) , structural engineering , displacement (psychology) , failure mode and effects analysis , composite material , engineering , psychology , psychotherapist
Ultra‐large and ultra‐lightweight gossamer space structures have received wide attention because of their small packaging volume and low cost. Wrinkle is the common deformation outcome and the main failure mode of such structures. The experimental test is essential for the wrinkling analysis, as contact test cannot be used to accurately determine wrinkling behaviour because of lightweight and flexibility. A novel non‐contact dot‐printing photogrammetry (DPP) based on the technology of the printed‐dot targets is presented to measure wrinkling characteristics. The characteristics of wrinkle development of gossamer space structures are obtained by incorporating the DPP method and a tension wrinkling (TW) test. Results reveal that wrinkle formation is the predominant form of bifurcation when the membrane is undergoing in‐plane displacement. Over‐contraction deformation is the special characteristic of the wrinkles, which reflects the degree of wrinkling and region in the wrinkled membrane. The development of wrinkling can be divided into five characteristic phases, and the occurrence of the wrinkles is followed by an abrupt jump variation. DPP measurement and TW test are the effective ways to obtain accurately the wrinkling behaviours and characteristics in small‐scale gossamer structures. Finite element results based on nonlinear post‐wrinkling analysis are used to validate the experimental test. The numerical predictions agree well with the experimental results.