Collapse Mode of an Inflatable Free-Standing Membrane∗

∗Communicated by J. L. Sackman.

ABSTRACT

The present paper discusses two models of the pneumatic hinge in inflatable free-standing membrane collapse. The first model, a very simple one, assumes that the cross section of the membrane remains unchanged during the deformation, which is not always true. Only if wrinkling occurs in the area close to the place where the membrane is stiffened by a circular ring or support, can this assumption be satisfied exactly. However, it is shown that even such a simple model gives relatively good evaluation of the collapse loads. The second improved model takes into account changes in the geometry of the cross section of the membrane in the hinge zone. It is found that the maximum hinge movement M _max = 2M _W predicted by the simple model, where M_w is the moment producing first wrinkling, is not constant, but depends on the angle of the hinge rotation.

Notes

∗Communicated by J. L. Sackman.