The bistable behaviors of deployable composite shell structures are experimentally studied. First, carbon/epoxy and glass/epoxy thin-walled composite shell structures are fabricated using resin transfer mould technology, respectively. Second, deployable behaviors of the thin-walled composite shell structure are investigated including deployable process, bending moment, and flexural radius. Finally, the bistable critical conditions of the thin-walled composite shell structure are discussed. The results show that the bistable behaviors of composite structure are directly related with material type, material properties and lay-ups.
Sickinger, C. , Herbeck, L. and Breitbach, E. (2006). Structural Engineering on Deployable CFRP Booms for a Solar Propelled Sailcraft, Acta Astronautica, 58(4): 185-196.
2.
Cadogan, D., Stein, J. and Grahne, M. ( 1999). Inflatable Composite Habitat Structures for Lunar and Mars Exploration, Acta Astronautica, 44(7-12): 399-406.
3.
Seffen, K.A. ( 2001). On the Behavior of Folded Tape-springs. Transactions of the ASME, Journal of Applied Mechanics, 68(3): 369-375.
4.
Seffen, K.A. and Pellegrino, S. (1999). Deployment Dynamics of Tape Springs. Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences , 455(1983): 1003-1048.
5.
Guest, S.D. and Pellegrino, S. ( 2006). Analytical Models for Bistable Cylindrical Shells, Proceedings of The Royal Society A-Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences , 462(2067): 839-854.
6.
Galletly, D.A. and Guest, S.D. (2004). Bistable Composite Slit Tubes. I. A Beam Model. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 41(16-17): 4517-4533.
7.
Galletly, D.A. and Guest, S.D. (2004). Bistable Composite Slit Tubes. II. A Shell Model, International Journal of Solids and Structures, 41(16-17): 4503-4516.
8.
Yee, J.C.H. and Pellegrino, S. (2005). Composite Tube Hinges , Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 18(4): 224-231.
9.
Yee, J.C.H. and Pellegrino, S. (2005). Folding of Woven Composite Structures, Composites Part A - Applied Science and Manufacturing , 36(2): 273-278.
