Investigation of a flexible inextensible composite membrane reflector
Lilly, Brian Peter
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/21611
Description
Title
Investigation of a flexible inextensible composite membrane reflector
Author(s)
Lilly, Brian Peter
Issue Date
1989
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Hilton, Harry H.
Department of Study
Aerospace Engineering
Discipline
Aerospace Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Engineering, Aerospace
Language
eng
Abstract
The objective of this work is an analytical and experimental investigation of a novel concept of a flexible inextensible composite membrane with a precise geometric shape. The development work based on this investigation successfully proved the feasibility of the concept. A prototype membrane employed as a parabolic reflector antenna was fabricated and subsequently evaluated in terms of its functional performance. In constructing the prototype, many challenging and complex conceptual, analytical, and design problems arose and were resolved. In particular, the elastic deflection of a paraboloidal membrane with only two arrays of reinforcement subjected to pressure loading was investigated as a function of the matrix and fiber material properties. Additionally, an experimental investigation was performed to determine if a composite material with a very flexible matrix can be analyzed as a conventional composite material. Finally, a static-kinematic analysis of an axisymmetric Chebyshev net was carried out to determine the equilibrium shape and force distribution under the applied edge and surface loads.
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