Abstract

This work presents the design and construction of a self-deployable, self-stiffening,and retractable (SDSR) space array from carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP’s) and a working prototype is demonstrated. The effort required developing principles for the design of high-strain composite flexural joints and their integration into angled composite panels. Designing LET arrays in angled panels is explored. Analysis of simple composite LET joints is presented for two degrees of freedom. Validation of the composite LET modeling is sought through numerical methods and empirical testing. Testing of several composite LET joint specimens is conducted and the results are reported. Results indicate that (while not as compact as their isotropic material counterparts) composite laminates can successfully use LET joints as surrogate folds.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Mechanical Engineering

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2021-09-15

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd11906

Keywords

composites, deployable structures, origami, high-strain composites, LET Joints

Language

English

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