Abstract Large deformations and stress analyses in two types of space structures that are intended for people to live in space have been studied in this research. The structure under analysis is assumed to rotate around the central axis to create artificial gravitational acceleration equal to the gravity on the Earth's surface. The analysis is fully dynamic, which is formulated based on the energy method by using the first-order shear deformation shell theory in two systems, cylindrical and torus. Also, the nonlinear von Kármán strain field has been assumed. The obtained set of partial differential equations has been solved using the semi-analytical polynomial solution method (SAPM). The main purpose of this paper is to study the effects of unusual conditions in the space outside the Earth's atmosphere (which is a complete vacuum environment without pressure) on the strength of the analyzed structure. The numerical results of the governing equations have been evaluated using those of other studies and the simulation efficiency performed in this research has been proven. Finally, the effect of important parameters on the numerical results, including the angular velocity of the structure (which causes artificial gravity), the amount of imposed mechanical and hygro-thermal loads, the structure size and material specifications have been investigated in more detail.
Highlights Large dynamic deformations of torus-shaped and cylindrical space structures are studied. Artificial gravity due to rotations is taken into account. Hygro-thermal effects are also considered. Functionally graded structures are analyzed.
Mechanical simulation of artificial gravity in torus-shaped and cylindrical spacecraft
Acta Astronautica ; 179 ; 330-344
2020-11-06
15 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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