Nonlinear Vibration Analysis of Membrane SAR Antenna Structure Adopting a Vector Form Intrinsic Finite Element

Abstract

This study adopted the Vector Form Intrinsic Finite Element (VFIFE) method to study the nonlinear vibration of the membrane SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) antenna structure. As the dynamic characteristic of the antenna is mainly determined by the support frame, it can be simplified as an axially loaded cantilever beam. The linear and geometrically nonlinear models of the axially loaded cantilever beam are established. The beam is modeled as discrete mass points which are connected by deformable elements through VFIFE method. A statics analysis is first presented to verify the VFIFE method. Then effects of the geometrical nonlinearity and axial load are investigated. It is believed that the presented study is valuable for better understanding the influences of the geometrical nonlinearity and axial load of the cantilever beam on the structural vibration characteristics.