Local Buckling in Crease Induced by Wrapping Fold of Space Membrane

This paper addresses the mechanics of local buckling induced in the creased membrane, which determines the folded size and the residual deformation of space membranes. The details of local buckling are investigated by demonstrating finite-element simulations. Based on properties of local buckling obtained through simulations, a simple analytical model is formulated in consideration of the deformed shape of the creased membrane to identify the dominant parameters and the conditions for local buckling. These results are verified by performing wrapping fold experiments. Based on these results, the mechanics of local buckling are discussed. The dominant parameters of local buckling are obtained by theoretical analysis in terms of the tensile force, the membrane thickness, the interval of the fold line, and the center hub radius. Conditions for local buckling are identified as the function of the dominant parameters, and the conditions show good agreement with the experimentally obtained results.