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.


    Zugriff

    Zugriff prüfen

    Verfügbarkeit in meiner Bibliothek prüfen

    Bestellung bei Subito €


    Exportieren, teilen und zitieren



    Titel :

    Flextegrity arched structures for Lunar bases built from indigenous materials


    Beteiligte:

    Erschienen in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 215 ; 107-116


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2023-11-27


    Format / Umfang :

    10 pages




    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch




    Arched structures

    Engineering Index Backfile | 1906




    Design concepts for pressurized lunar shelters utilizing indigenous materials

    Happel, John Amin / Willam, Kaspar / Shing, Benson | NTRS | 1991


    ARCHED STRUCTURE FOR WATERCRAFT

    DESAUTELS LEO HENRI | Europäisches Patentamt | 2018

    Freier Zugriff