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Published January 10, 2014 | public
Book Section - Chapter

Deployment mechanics of highly compacted thin membrane structures

Abstract

We studied the effects of membrane thickness and crease density on the forces required to unfold creased membrane structures. 26 cm-diameter models were made using two different thicknesses (7.5 μm and 25 μm) of polyimide film, and wrapped around a 4 cm-diameter hub using two different crease densities. They were deployed quasi-statically, and the deployment forces were measured. Two regimes were observed: an initial phase (up to about 85% deployed) of low and variable stiffness, and a second phase (above 85% deployed) of high stiffness. The thinner membrane models required higher deployment forces than the thicker membrane models during the initial phase.

Additional Information

© 2014 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Published Online: 10 Jan 2014.

Additional details

Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
October 18, 2023