Vibration simulations of a wrinkled membrane-inflated arch

This research focuses on the numerical studies used to combined direct perturbed-force (DPF) and updated geometry (UG) technologies to characterize the vibration behaviors of a wrinkled membrane-inflated arch. The predicted wrinkles are in good agreement with experimental measurements. These wrinkling results are then introduced into modal analysis to predict the mode shapes and associated frequencies of the inflated arch. The effects of the wrinkles on the vibration characteristics of the inflated arch are then analyzed. The initial wrinkling location and load are found to be very much dependent on the inflated pressure. The vibration characteristics of the inflated arch are very sensitive to the wrinkles. The wrinkles should be effectively eliminated and controlled to increase the structural frequencies and obtain the required vibration characteristics of the membrane-inflated arch.