Numerical Analysis of Folding and Deployment Dynamics of Thin Shell Structures with Localized Folds

Author: Canales Escobedo, Fabricio Gianfranco

Year: 2023

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Pellegrino, Sergio

Committee Members: Meiron, Daniel I.; Bae, H. Jane; Schroeder, Peter; Pellegrino, Sergio

Option: Aeronautics

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the analysis of tape springs folded in the opposite sense and their dynamic deployment, and aims to use methods to reduce the computational cost of the analysis. The tape spring is a thin shell deployable structure that has features in common with other deployable structures. The deployment process of such structures can be difficult to predict, and the use of numerical models can be a more cost-effective alternative to experimental testing. Approaches to reduce the computational cost of the analysis of tape springs are investigated such as adaptive meshing and reduced order models. The thesis also presents an accurate analysis of tape spring deployment and a detailed study of the energies and the physics of the deployment. This is used to investigate the energy leak observed in previous tape spring deployment work. Overall, this thesis contributes to improving the efficiency and accuracy of the analysis of deployable structures, particularly tape springs, which can have significant applications in spacecraft technology.

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