Load-deformation response of pressurized tubular fabric arches

Published: 2009

Author(s):
Davids, W. G.
Clapp, J. D.

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:
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Keywords:

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.