Design and structural analysis of a 70‐m metal space‐frame radome

Abstract

Summary The electrical performance of an antenna is usually affected by the stiffness, intensity, and stability of the radome structure. Thus, radome structural analysis is of great concern to designers. Taking a 70‐m radome structure to be built in the future with a 50‐m aperture antenna structure as the study platform, its mechanical behavior and electrical properties are analyzed and discussed. First, a detailed introduction regarding the method and principle of radome partitioning is presented. Based these methods, random divisions on radome plates are conducted using a specially developed program, and thereby, a whole spherical‐segment model is established. In addition, focusing on the finite element model of a steel radome structure, static mechanical, seismic response, modality, and stability analyses are performed, such that the member sections of the radome structure, adopting two kinds of materials, are determined. The results show that the mechanical properties of the structure are superior and that all indices meet the requirements in the safety evaluation. Just as noteworthy, the influencing mechanism of structural deformation of the radome on electrical performance is examined, and in particular, the reason why large deformation does not greatly degrade electrical performance is presented. Subsequently, a novel method for describing deformation is put forth to accurately estimate the effects of structural deformation on electrical performance. These achievements provide references for structural design and construction as well as maintenance of similar common metal space‐truss radomes.

Numerical simulation of welding deformation and residual stress in aluminum alloy plate-to-sleeve welded joints

“…AA6061-T6 is widely used in the aluminum alloy spatial structure and other industries due to its high material strength, low density, corrosion resistance, excellent welding performance, easy processing, and recycling. 1,2 The spatial structure is used as a protective cover to ensure the performance and life of facilities in adverse circumstances such as wind, rain, snow, and salt fog. The spatial structure is assembled by multiple triangular spatial frames that consist of members (i.e.…”