LAUSR

Abstract Membrane-based space structures such as solar sails, inflatable antennas and sunshields have attracted attention for use on future advanced space science and engineering missions. Since these membrane-based space structures are easily deformed by small disturbances, a practical calculation method for the surface configuration of the deformed membranes is required to realize the membrane structures without failure. This study formulates an equation to estimate the wrinkle wavelength and maximum amplitude appearing on thin membranes based on a tension-field solution. The equation calculates the wrinkle wavelength and maximum amplitude using three wrinkling parameters, which are the major principal stress in the wrinkled region, the length of the wrinkle line, and the wrinkle strain. Because these wrinkling parameters are given by a traditional wrinkling analysis using tension-field theory, the formulated equation reveals an approximate wrinkle wavelength and a maximum amplitude appearing on the thin membranes without cumbersome bifurcation analysis and has characteristics applicable to various types of structures. By conducting a wrinkling analysis using tension-field theory for the two classical membrane models, which have wrinkling phenomena appearing across the entire membrane and in part of the membrane, a wrinkle wavelength and maximum amplitude are estimated from the formula. Comparing the estimated results with those given by wrinkling analysis using shell theory, it is observed that the estimate appropriately captures the wrinkle wavelength and maximum amplitude in the wrinkled region where tension-field theory is applicable. The equation presented in this study offers a new, practical approach to estimate the wrinkled membrane surface configuration.