Computational analysis of folding characteristics in inflatable membrane booms

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the folding characteristics of inflatable membrane booms, focusing particularly on the flattening and doubling stages, which serve as fundamental operations across various folding strategies. Design/methodology/approach – A finite-element model was constructed to simulate the folding behavior of inflatable membrane booms under internal pressure. Folding was driven by rigid-plane movements, and gas leakage was incorporated to reflect realistic physical folding conditions. Findings – Simulation results reveal that non-developable regions and fold-line intersections exhibit pronounced stress concentrations, marking them as critical structural vulnerabilities. Appropriate vent area design effectively mitigates average stress levels during folding. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study presents the first numerical investigation into the flattening and doubling mechanics of inflatable membrane booms, offering novel insights into stress evolution and deformation under internal pressure. The modeling framework provides a foundation for extending the methodology to more complex folding techniques, thereby supporting future design and optimization of inflatable aerospace structures.