Design Criteria for Inflated, Expandable Beams Used as Structural Members in an Advanced Concept Paraglider
Abstract
As a result of the interest shown in an inflatable paraglider for possible application as a device for suitable payload recovery, it has been necessary to develop the engineering tools to perform a structural design of the inflated members associated with the load transfer from the aerodynamic membrane to the shroud lines. The basic problem is to provide a minimum weight design while still assuring that the members will not buckle or burst under load. Design procedures have been developed which allow inflated curved beams to be designed with due consideration being given to concentrated and distributed loads acting in arbitrary planes. Paragliders designed by methods outlined herein have been tested in wind tunnels under varying aerodynamic loading conditions and have been found to exhibit buckling tendencies near the load condition predicted analytically.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- ADA451898
Entities
People
- James F. Mcnulty
- Royce A. Toni
Organizations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration