Numerical Simulation of Stepwise Deployment of Membrane Structure with Booms Using Multi-Particle Approximation Method

Abstract

Deployable membrane structures are hopeful to develop future lightweight large space structures. In order to predict the dynamic behaviors of the structures in the preliminary design phase, simple and fast numerical simulation is necessary. For this purpose, multi-particle approximation method has been studied which models membranes with spring-mass-damper systems. In this study, polygonal membrane structures integrated with extendible booms are investigated. The membranes are deployed by the elasticity of the booms in a stepwise manner. A multi-particle model for one-dimensional elastic body is introduced as the boom model to the multi-particle method. Each boom is released from the tip end by several particles and the dynamic behaviors of the stepwise deployment can be obtained. The behaviors are compared with deployment experiments of booms without a membrane. Numerical simulation of the deployment of a hexagonal membrane with booms is also demonstrated. Finally, the effect of the stepwise pattern on the vibration motion of the central body due to deployment is studied.