Tearing behaviors of coated fabric membrane structures. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Xubo; Wu, Minger; Bao, Han; Ren, Sijie; Liu, Feng
• Is Part Of: Thin-walled structures. Volume 183(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Coated fabric -- Membrane structure -- Tearing test -- Tearing property; Thin-walled structures -- Periodicals; 690.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tws.2022.110427
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-8231

Abstract

Abstract: To prevent the failure of membrane structures due to excessive loads, the tearing properties of such structures with coated fabrics were investigated in this study. First, the material properties were obtained by conducting tensile, shear, and single-edge notched tests. Thereafter, a structure tearing test was designed and conducted. Test models with different cracks exhibited similar load–displacement of actuator curves, and the critical tearing loads decreased with increasing in crack sizes. However, the decreasing trend gradually declined. Different test models exhibited similar crack expansion processes before the initiation of tearing. After tearing initiated, the crack extension speed and failure mode varied. Based on the displacement results around the crack, the influence of the crack was local before tearing initiated. However, the crack size can determine the timing and mode of the failure of membrane structures. Furthermore, by comparing the tearing test results at the structure and material levels, the crack size and critical tearing strength per unit length were verified as critical parameters for determining a relatively complete tearing mechanism. Finally, due to the differences between the structure tearing and single-edge notched tests, a stress analysis was conducted to confirm the detailed margins/limitations based on a numerical simulation. The critical tearing strength at the crack section was obtained, and the theoretical critical tearing loads were obtained based on the modified stress field model. The results related to the single-edge notched test were smaller, and can therefore provide a relatively safe estimation with respect to the membrane structure tearing test. This study was preliminary, and can serve as a basis for investigating the tearing of membrane structures. Highlights: Tearing tests were conducted on coated fabric membrane structures. Influence of tearing on the mechanical behaviors of membrane structures was investigated. Crack size and critical tearing strength per unit length are critical parameters. The margins/limitations due to differences between material and structure tearing tests are verified by a stress analysis.