Deformation Analysis of the Tapered Inflatable Beam

Chen, Z.; Zhao, Haitao; Chen, J.; Zhang, Z. T.; Duan, Dengping

doi:10.1017/jmech.2017.17

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…11: 231272 general hexagonal unit cells as shown in figure 1. First, we derive the formulation for transverse bending deflection of a cylindrical inflatable beam [82][83][84][85][86] (refer to figure 1i). Thereafter, we analyse a unit cell (imposing periodic boundary conditions) made up of inflatable beam elements for obtaining the closed-form analytical formulations of the five in-plane elastic properties of a lattice.…”

Section: Theoretical Derivation Of the Effective Elastic Properties O...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Pneumatic elastostatics of multi-functional inflatable lattices: realization of extreme specific stiffness with active modulation and deployability

Sinha,

Mukhopadhyay

2024

R. Soc. Open Sci.

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As a consequence of intense investigation on possible topologies of periodic lattices, the limit of specific elastic moduli that can be achieved solely through unit cell-level geometries in artificially engineered lattice-based materials has reached a point of saturation. There exists a robust rationale to involve more elementary-level mechanics for pushing such boundaries further to develop extreme lightweight multi-functional materials with adequate stiffness. We propose a novel class of inflatable lattice materials where the global-level stiffness can be derived based on a fundamentally different mechanics compared with conventional lattices having beam-like solid members, leading to extreme specific stiffness due to the presence of air in most of the lattice volume. Furthermore, such inflatable lattices would add multi-functionality in terms of on-demand performances such as compact storing, portability and deployment along with active stiffness modulation as a function of air pressure. We have developed an efficient unit cell-based analytical approach therein to characterize the effective elastic properties including the effect of non-rigid joints. The proposed inflatable lattices would open new frontiers in engineered materials and structures that will find critical applications in a range of technologically demanding industries such as aircraft structures, defence, soft robotics, space technologies, biomedical and various other mechanical systems.

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Section: Theoretical Derivation Of the Effective Elastic Properties O...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Pneumatic elastostatics of multi-functional inflatable lattices: realization of extreme specific stiffness with active modulation and deployability

Sinha,

Mukhopadhyay

2024

R. Soc. Open Sci.

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“…The tapered inflatable beam theory has been partly studied (Chen et al, 2018) and the beam deformation under concentrated force condition has been demonstrated. In the engineering practice, moment load is common.…”

Section: Model Of Tapered Inflatable Beam Under Bending Momentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Veldman (2003), Veldman and Bergsma (2006) studied the bending problem of conical inflated beam by Mohr's circle and minimum strain wrinkling criterion and analysed the taper ratio influence. Chen (2018) established the model of the tapered inflatable beam subject to concentrated force by transforming pressure difference and taper ratio into the following force. All the works are valuable to the inflatable structure development and further research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deflection analysis of the airship structure based on the tapered inflatable beam

Zheng¹,

Zhao²,

Li³

et al. 2019

AEAT

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the deflection of the flexible airship structure in a new way which can decrease the calculation amount and improve the calculation speed. Design/methodology/approach Infinitesimal method and tapered inflatable beam theory are combined to study the mechanics characteristics of the airship. Firstly, infinitesimal method is introduced into the airship structure analysis. The airship structure can be divided into several tapered inflatable beam elements. Then, tapered inflatable beam theory is improved and a developed model of the tapered inflatable beam under bending moment is presented. Besides, it is proved that deflection caused by pure load and pure moment can be linearly superimposed. Finally, the deflection of the airship structure is studied by means of tapered inflatable beam theory. Findings This paper improved the tapered inflatable beam theory. Besides, the proposed method for deflection analysis of the flexible airship in this paper can reach the same accuracy with traditional finite element method (FEM). However, the number of beam elements is much less than the one of FEM shell elements, which will decrease the calculation amount much and improve the calculation speed. Practical implications The flexible airship is a new and developing research area in engineering practice. The proposed method in this paper provides one precise and high-speed way to analyse the deformation of the airship. Originality/value The paper draws its value from the contributions to development of inflatable structure and the flexible airship mechanics research.

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