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Deformation Analysis of the Tapered Inflatable Beam

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 March 2017

Z. Chen ,
H. T. Zhao ,
J. Chen ,
Z. T. Zhang  and
D. P. Duan
Z. Chen
Affiliation:
School of Aeronautics and AstronauticsShanghai Jiaotong UniversityShanghai, China
H. T. Zhao*
Affiliation:
School of Aeronautics and AstronauticsShanghai Jiaotong UniversityShanghai, China
J. Chen
Affiliation:
School of Aeronautics and AstronauticsShanghai Jiaotong UniversityShanghai, China
Z. T. Zhang
Affiliation:
School of Aeronautics and AstronauticsShanghai Jiaotong UniversityShanghai, China
D. P. Duan
Affiliation:
School of Aeronautics and AstronauticsShanghai Jiaotong UniversityShanghai, China
*
*Corresponding author (zht@sjtu.edu.cn)
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Abstract

In the theory research and engineering practice, more basic inflatable models are essential for the mechanical property analysis of inflatable structures. Firstly, this paper presents a model of the tapered inflatable cantilever beam based on Timoshenko's theory and analyzes its deformation under a concentrated force. Moreover, the following forces resulting from internal pressure and taper ratio are introduced into the equilibrium equations of the deformed configuration. Thus, the model is optimized compared to the existing one for a straight beam. To verify the effectiveness and the superiority of the established model, the theoretical method based on the model and FEM method are compared by adopting an example about the tapered beams. Finally, the theoretical method is applied in analyzing the influence of geometry and estimating a valid range of taper ratio. By the criterion of the same amount material area, the optimum taper ratio is obtained.

Keywords

Tapered inflatable beamsFollowing forceOptimum taper ratio
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Mechanics , Volume 34 , Issue 4 , August 2018 , pp. 453 - 459
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics 2018 

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