Static Analyses of Orthotropic and Nonlinear Pressure-Loaded Membranes
Abstract
Analytical finite element studies were conducted for geometrically nonlinear pressure loaded membranes. The membranes were composed of either orthotropic glass/epoxy composite materials or materially nonlinear (bilinear) aluminum. Quarter symmetry was assumed for the rectangular and square membranes. Half symmetry and appropriate side boundary conditions were used for the infinitely long membrane. The models employed simply supported boundary conditions at the membrane edges. Nonlinearities were treated by breaking the loading into small discrete steps. The geometry, stiffness matrix, and pressure loading were recomputed after each step. Elastically linear models exhibited cubic load deflection behavior. That is, the pressure needed to produce a given deflection was proportional to the deflection cubed. The load-deflection behavior of the aluminum model was cubic until yielding and nearly linear thereafter. The ultimate strength of each glass/epoxy membrane was determined using the Tsai-Wu failure criterion. Results imply that composite fabric plies with the fibers oriented in the principle directions of the membrane are the most efficient. The bilinear aluminum model indicates that metal membranes are promising, but post yielding behavior should be investigated experimentally.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA245054
Entities
People
- John C. Brewer
Organizations
- United States Army Soldier Systems Center