Free Vibration Analysis of Inflatable Space Structure

Abstract

This paper present the modal analysis for the predicating the behavior of inflatable membrane structure of general square shape with a thickness in millimeter using the various smart material which optimally within structural member subjected to edge-constrained rather than applying bending or moments. A numerical solution for membranes may also be found using the finite element method. In this paper flat thin membrane choose to analysis the behavioral effect of the multi-layered membranes using the properties of different smart material and compare their results in terms of frequency and out plane deflection with mode shape. This analysis makes more effective to select the smart materials in the space technology. Vibration analysis of arbitrary square shape membrane is also done using a finite element package, ANSYS APDL. The analysis shows good agreement in finite element solutions.