Analysis of Wrinkled Composite Membrane of Inflatable Antenna Using Shape Memory Alloy

Wrinkling is a common phenomenon observed in thin membranes when subjected to different loading and boundary conditions. This paper presents the modeling and simulation of wrinkling patterns in the composite membrane using finite element analysis, in which a thin sheet of shape memory alloys (SMAs) material, is used. Shape memory alloys remember their shape even after plastic deformation. Initially, during the analysis a small uniform prestress is applied to the membrane, to stabilize it. Then in the next step of the analysis, we determine buckling mode-shapes of the prestressed membrane. In the next step, these modes are used as small, initial imperfections that trigger the formation of wrinkles in the preceding nonlinear geometric simulation. Thermal effect on the shape memory alloy sheet was considered after it has deformed/wrinkled and wrinkle characteristics are obtained. The result is then demonstrated by computing the characteristics of wrinkles in two membrane structures one without the shape memory alloy sheet and one with the shape memory alloy sheet. It has been observed that smart structure, shape memory alloy has an effective control of the wrinkle of the membrane.