Abstract Flextegrity is a broad structural concept, represented here by a chain of perforated massive segments in dry contact, coupled by a passing-through pre-tensioned tie-rod (tendon). Contact surfaces realize pure rolling along tailor-designed pitch lines, so that the relative rotation of adjacent segments determines the tendon elongation: the bending constitutive law can be optimized simply by re-shaping the contact surfaces. Flextegrity arches are placed side by side to form a vault, pressurized via an interposed air-tight membrane. The arch follows an almost complete circle (the vault approaches a tube), to minimize the actions on the foundations from internal pressure. The structure also supports a thick radiation shield above, made up of loose Lunar debris. The main characteristic is that the massive segments can be made from cast Lunar regolith, fused into solar-powered devices, whose weight is mitigated by the reduced Lunar gravity. Huge savings on mission budget are expected, because the only components from Earth are the tendons, made of high-performance lightweight carbon nanotube fibers, and the air-tight membrane. Small-scale prototypes are manufactured from cast concrete. The structural response is analyzed through a theoretical model. The concept is applied to a Moon base example, verifying compatibility with the strength of Lunar regolith under various actions, including meteoroid impact.
Highlights Structural concept of segmental Flextegrity beams is applied to the construction of a lunar base. Segmental flextegrity arches form the skeleton, supporting radiation shield and pressurization. The massive segments are made from cast lunar regolith, fused into solar-powered devices. Only components from Earth are high performance CNTF cables and an air-tight membrane. Lunar regolith material strength under design actions, including meteoroid impact, is verified.
Flextegrity arched structures for Lunar bases built from indigenous materials
Acta Astronautica ; 215 ; 107-116
2023-11-27
10 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Engineering Index Backfile | 1906
Solar power satellite built of lunar materials
Tema Archiv | 1986