Development of a Non Linear Finite Element Model for Inflation Simulation of Gossamer Tubes

Abstract

The thesis describes the modelling technique and deployment simulation of rolled inflatable bladder featuring Velcro strips. The thin shell membrane deployment of inflatable bladder is modelled and simulated with a commercial finite element software ANSYS-LSDYNATM. This work was carried out in the campus of German Aerospace Centre (DLR) – Institute of Composite Structures and Adaptive Systems. A numerical simulation technique is a common practice for aerospace engineers to study the deployment behaviour and significantly stepping forward towards development of gossamer structures in future. The dynamic inflation deployment is followed by a Control Volume (CV) method with ideal gas law. The CV method which is employed neglects the inertia effect of velocity of the inflation gas. Furthermore, the paper is focused mainly to discuss the deployment simulations under 1 G and 0 G loading conditions, influence of Velcro and mass flow rates. The deployment experiment which is conducted in the DLR laboratory is also presented and the results predicted between numerical and experiments are briefly discussed.