Abstract
Folding FEM analyses are presented to examine folding properties of a two-dimensional deployable membrane for a precise deployment simulation. A fold model of the membrane is proposed by dividing the wrapping fold process into two regions which are the folded state and the transient process. The cross-section of the folded state is assumed to be a repeating structure, and analytical procedures of the repeating structure are constructed. To investigate the mechanical properties of the crease in detail, the bending stiffness is considered in the FEM analyses. As the results of the FEM analyses, the configuration of the membrane and the contact force by the adjacent membrane are obtained quantitatively for an arbitrary layer pitch. Possible occurrence of the plastic deformation is estimated using the Mises stress in the crease. The FEM results are compared with one-dimensional approximation analyses to evaluate these results.
