Analysis of a 3D Frame — Membrane Structure for Lunar Base

This paper presents the analysis of a proposed lunar base structure comprised of a 3-dimensional frame and an inflatable membrane combination, based on finite element technique, and obtains its stress and deformation response in the service environment. The geometry and dimension of the proposed lunar structure have been evaluated bearing in mind crucial factors such as ease of construction, utilization of local material, and curtailment of construction constituents, and thus, payload to be carried from the earth. The design has been evolved, considering internal pressurization load, regolith shielding load, and self-weight of the structure, satisfying yield strength and buckling strength criteria of the frame members. In the structure the membrane serves as the containment for the internal pressurization as well as supports the regolith covering the structure for radiation and temperature shielding while the 3-D frame gives the stiffness and strength to the structural system to carry the loads. The results predicting the stress and deformation behavior of the frame-membrane composite system for two cases of support conditions are presented.