Mechanics of plain-woven fabrics for inflated structures

Cavallaro, Paul V.; Johnson, Matthew E.; Sadegh, Ali M.

doi:10.1016/s0263-8223(03)00054-0

Cited by 55 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Cavallaro et al [14] utilized finite element analysis to compute the load-displacement curve of a pressurized membrane tube subjected to four-point bending conditions and found that the mechanical response strongly depends on the internal pressure. Turner et al [15] conducted torsion tests on pressurized membrane tubes subjected to different internal pressures with the aim of determining the shear modulus of the fabric in the pre-stressed configuration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inflation and bending of an orthotropic inflatable beam

Nguyen

Thomas

van

2015

Thin-Walled Structures

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An inflatable beam is an airtight structure made of a soft technical fabric and subjected to an internal pressure which gives it a final cylindrical shape, a pre-stress in the membrane and a bearing capacity. Against all appearances, it is not a standard beam and it requires a specific formulation in order to take account of the internal pressure which plays a key role in its mechanical response.This work deals with inflatable beams made of orthotropic materials. The first part of the paper is concerned with the inflation of the membrane tube, an important stage which is often neglected so far in the literature. As preliminaries of the bending problem studied in the next part of the paper, the constitutive law related to the inflated state of the tube -not the natural state -is investigated. It will be shown that the constitutive law related to the inflated pre-stressed state is not the same as the constitutive law related to the natural state. Expressions of the material coefficients involved in the former constitutive law will be established from the material coefficients defined on the natural reference configuration which are the only ones supposed to be known.The second part of the paper deals with the bending of the inflatable beam. The Timoshenko beam kinematics will be chosen because of the significant shear effect in the tube wall and the problem will be formulated in finite deformations in order to accounts for all the nonlinear effects, in particular the action due to the internal pressure which is a follower load. The nonlinear system of equations obtained will then be linearized around the pre-stressed configuration and will result in a more tractable linear system.Preprint submitted to Thin-Walled Structures November 20, 2014 The proposed formulation allows a comprehensive study of the influence of the internal pressure on the geometry and material properties of orthotropic inflatable beams The analytical results will be compared with numerical results obtained from a nonlinear membrane finite element code.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inflation and bending of an orthotropic inflatable beam

Nguyen

Thomas

van

2015

Thin-Walled Structures

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“…Reese et al (2001) applied a hyperelastic material model for the fabric and developed a brick finite element for the coating and non-linear truss elements for the fibers to predict the static response of a membrane under pressure. Cavallaro et al (2003) developed unit cell models accounting for friction between crossing tows and studied the effect of material, air pressure and loading rate on the midspan deflection in airbeams subjected to 4-point bending. As far as the dynamic response of membranes is concerned, Jenkins and Korde (2006) published a related state of the art review.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Fabric Webs on the Static Response of Spindle-Shaped Tensairity Columns

et al. 2010

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Tensairity is a lightweight structural concept comprising struts and cables stabilized by a textile membrane, which is inflated by low pressurized air. This paper addresses the effect of fabric webs inside the membrane hull on the static response of spindle-shaped Tensairity columns to axial compression. Two full-scale spindle-shaped columns, one without and one with webs, were fabricated and tested. The columns were subjected to axial compressive loading for various levels of internal air pressure in order to quantify its effect on the global structural response. It was found that the stiffness and the load bearing capacity for both columns increased with increasing air pressure. The experimental results also revealed the benefits of including fabric webs in the spindle configuration in terms of axial stiffness and buckling load. Comparisons with an analytical solution and finite element predictions showed good correlation for the axial stiffness in the case without webs. For the case with webs deviations between predicted and experimental results indicated that structural detailing and imperfections in the manufacturing process strongly influence the performance of Tensairity columns with internal webs.

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“…High-density weaves are less susceptible to penetrations and provide greater coverage protection for bladders. Rip-stop fabrics have periodic inclusions of high tenacity yams woven in a cellular arrangement used to prevent fractures of the basic yams from propagating across cells as shown in figure (4). (The breaking strength of a yam is referred to as tenacity which is defined in units of grams-force per denier.…”

Section: Improved Damage Tolerance Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The load versus mid-span deflection curves are shown in figure (11). In a third series of tests [ 4 ], the flexure behavior of uncoated plain-woven Vectran and PEN air beams were compared for 2 pressures using a constant load point displacement rate. Both air beams had identical crimp in the warp and weft yams, yarn density ratios (YDR), denier, diameter and length.…”

Section: Mw = (6)mentioning

confidence: 99%