Wrinkling analysis of space inflatable membrane structures

In this paper, the wrinkling analysis of space inflatablemembrane structure was performed with the application of the contractionfactor, the stress condition and wrinkling characteristic. The parameter ofthe contraction factor was introduced to show the contraction in thedirection of texture, not the concept of the Poisson's ratio. The stressfield and deformation of the wrinkled inflatable membrane structure wereobtained. A deep discussion on the relationship between the Poisson's ratioand the contraction factor. Was carried out and the compatibility conditionof the deformation was redefined. Furthermore, the 2-D wrinkling analyticalmethod was extended into the case of the 3-D inflated structures. Theflexural wrinkling of an inflated cylinder tube was analyzed to obtain therelationship between the critical wrinkling and the structural or mechanicalparameters. The theoretical results were quantitatively verified and wellagreed with the experimental results.