Modeling and Analysis of a Large-Scale Double-Level Guyed Mast for Membrane Antennas

Abstract

This paper proposes a double-level guyed membrane antenna for stiffness improvement of a large-scale tri-prism deployable mast using the collapsible tubular mast (CTM). Initially, the construction of the antenna and the modeling of the CTM boom are illustrated. Afterwards, the central mast with isosceles triangular cross section is mathematically equivalent to a continuum beam, in which the equations of motion and the constitutive relations are derived. Based on the equivalent central beam, the double-level guyed mast for the membrane antenna is modeled as a 2(3-SPS-S) mechanism, and then velocity Jacobian matrices and stiffness matrices of SPS branches are constructed. Additionally, the total stiffness matrix of the equivalent mechanism is derived with the principle of virtual work and then evaluated as an accurate approach. Finally, with the aim to improve the static stiffness of the double-level guyed mast, the numerical analysis using the Genetic Algorithm (GA) is carried out for optimizing the distribution of guys in terms of anchor positions and attachment heights.

Wrinkle Prediction of Membrane Structures under Uniform Normal Tensions

“…When a tensile force is applied to a membrane structure, compressive stress near the force occurs accompanied by lateral contraction due to the Poisson effect in the direction perpendicular to the tensile force, which easily leads to wrinkles [1]. The performance of membrane structures largely depends on surface accuracy [2], and in many cases, only the un-wrinkled region can be used. To mitigate the wrinkling, it is required to predict the wrinkle regions accurately.…”