Behavior of Sandwich Panels in a Deployable Structure
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 10
Abstract
This paper investigates the load-bearing capability of sandwich panels (composed of fiber-reinforced polymer faces and a foam core) connected by aluminum hinges in an origami-inspired deployable structure intended for temporary sheltering. The structure is studied (1) during deployment (loaded under self-weight only), and (2) as both individual and combined modules subjected to uniform pressures emulating wind loads. The measured results are used to validate finite element models, with comparisons focusing on surface strains and displacements at panel centers (to study global behavior), as well as surface strains near connections (to study local behavior). The validated numerical models are used to perform parametric studies investigating design decisions for (1) deployment, including panel reinforcement, location of lifting equipment, and size of lifting equipment, and (2) combined modules, including restraints and connections between modules, gasketing between panels, and panel reinforcement. This research ultimately demonstrates the load-bearing capability of deployable structures composed of hinged sandwich panels and provides design guidelines and recommendations.
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Acknowledgments
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) under Contract W911QY-12-C-0128. The authors are grateful for the assistance of laboratory technician Brent Bach and students Chad Quaglia, Casey Casias, Angelene Dascanio, and Jack Reilly. The authors would like to thank Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding Co. (Thomaston, Maine) for manufacturing the prototype. The authors would like to acknowledge the other principal investigators on this project, including Mihir Sen, Panos Antsaklis, Ann-Marie Conrado, and Samuel Paolucci, and project coordinators Patrick Murphy and Mike Zenk. This research was supported in part by the University of Notre Dame Center for Research Computing through computational resources.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 10 • October 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 15, 2015
Accepted: Feb 9, 2016
Published online: Apr 27, 2016
Discussion open until: Sep 27, 2016
Published in print: Oct 1, 2016
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