Wrinkling analysis of space inflatable membrane structures

In this paper, the wrinkling analysis of space inflatable membrane structure was performed with the application of the contraction factor, the stress condition and wrinkling characteristic. The parameter of the contraction factor was introduced to show the contraction in the direction of texture, not the concept of the Poisson's ratio. The stress field and deformation of the wrinkled inflatable membrane structure were obtained. A deep discussion on the relationship between the Poisson's ratio and the contraction factor was carried out and the compatibility condition of the deformation was redefined. Furthermore, the 2-D wrinkling analytical method was extended into the case of the 3-D inflated structures. The flexural wrinkling of an inflated cylinder tube was analyzed to obtain the relationship between the critical wrinkling and the structural or mechanical parameters. The theoretical results were quantitatively verified and well agreed with the experimental results.