Analytical and numerical study of the buckling of planar linear array deployable structures based on scissor-like element under its own weight. (15th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Bo; Wang, San-Min; Zhi, Chang-Jian; Xue, Xiang-Zhen; Makis, Viliam
• Is Part Of: Mechanical systems and signal processing. Volume 83(2017)
• Page Start: 474
• Page End: 488
• Publication Date: 2017-01-15
• Subjects: Deployable structure -- Stability analysis -- Buckling load -- Equivalent displacement method -- The principle of stationary potential energy; Structural dynamics -- Periodicals; Vibration -- Periodicals; Constructions -- Dynamique -- Périodiques; Vibration -- Périodiques; Structural dynamics; Vibration; Periodicals; 621
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ymssp.2016.06.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0888-3270

Abstract

Abstract: This paper aims at investigating the buckling load of fully deployed linear array deployable structure based on scissor-like element (SLE) under its own weight. The deployable structure has been widely researched both in geometric configurations and structural dynamic characteristics. However, when the number of elements or degree of deployment exceeds the predetermined range, even if there is no external load, deployable structure will automatically collapse under its own weight. To address this issue, this paper derives a new stability model based on linear elastic analysis and energy method to compute the buckling load caused by its own weight for avoiding the structural instability, which can be applied to a linear array deployable structure with n SLEs. In the process of calculation, the first SLE is taken for mechanical analysis and the results are extended to any unit. In the sequel of this process, the scissor deployable structure is equivalent to a uniform solid column and its buckling condition under self-weight is obtained based on the principle of potential energy. Also, the effect of various parameters that affect the instability of the structure, such as the number of elements, bar length and degree of deployment is investigated, and the results of the theoretical analysis are verified through a comparison with the simulation results in ANSYS, which show that the new stability model proposed here can predict the buckling load of scissor deployable structure. Highlights: A novel stability model of a planar linear array deployable structure is proposed. The linear elastic analysis and equivalent displacement method are utilized. The proposed stability model can predict in advance the buckling of the structure. The proposed approach can be extended to any linear deployable structure with n units.