Load-deformation response of pressurized tubular fabric arches

Published: 2009

Author(s):

Davids, W. G.
Clapp, J.

Publication Name: 50th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference

Publication URL: https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2009-2632

Research Area:

Smart Materials & Textiles, Thermoplastics

Keywords:

Composite Materials Infrastructure Durability Structural Testing

Abstract:

Pressurized fabric arches are lightweight, portable structural members fabricated from a continuously woven or braided fabric tube and an internal impermeable bladder. This study examines the load-deflection and buckling response of semi-circular, inflated fabric arches.
Experiments on the load-deformation response of a woven and braided fabric arch tested over a range of inflation pressures are detailed. A quadratic Timoshenko beam nite element previously developed for the small deformation analysis of beams and beam-columns is extended to the large-deformation in-plane analysis of arches with a co-rotational formulation. Response simulations that include fabric wrinkling, work done by pressure, and geometric nonlinearity are shown to accurately predict measured, pressure-dependent arch load-deformation response. Additional analyses indicate that inflation pressure significantly affects the bucking capacity of both deep and shallow arches. The effect of arch included angle is also studied with respect to buckling. Experimental measurements of braided arch load-displacement response provide a starting point for extending the beam finite element to analyze braided arch response.