Numerical simulation of stowing and deploying process of lenticular wrapped-rib

The research study exams a numerical simulation of the stowing and deploying process of a lenticular thin-wall wrapped-rib of a space deployable film reflectarray antenna. By using the ABAQUS software, an accuracy finite element model was established with the S4R composite material elements. First an explicit dynamic method was applied to analyze and simulate the pulling flattening process, and subsequently the wrapping process was also analyzed numerically. The study evaluated the tension, deformation and stress characteristics of the pulling flattening process, as well as the wrapping behavior parameters of deformation, stress and wrapping angular velocity, etc. in the wrapping process. The research study was valuable to the design of the backbone, and pulling flatterning and wrapping mechanism of space film reflectarray antenna.