Motion analysis of deployable structures based on the rod hinge element by the finite particle method

摘要

Deployable structures have been widely used in civil engineering and space technology for their versatility in meeting the practical requirements. Using the finite particle method (FPM), this article presents a motion analysis of deployable structures based on the straight-rod hinge and angulated-rod hinge. The FPM is a recently proposed method that is based on the combination of the vector mechanics and numerical calculations. It models the analysed domain composed of finite particles. Newton's second law is adopted to describe the motions of all particles. FPM can simultaneously calculate large rigid body motions and large geometrical changes of a structural system. There is no need to solve any non-linear equations, to calculate the stiffness matrix or equilibrium matrix, which is very helpful in the motion analysis of deployable structures. The fundamentals of this method are given first, including the basic motion equation, the derivation for planar element, and solution procedures of this method. The rod hinge element is developed to model the deployable structure. Two deployable structures based on different elements are analysed with the same program. From the simulation results, the article shows the capabilities and accuracy of this method in the motion analysis of deployable structures.