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Numerical and experimental study of the stressed skin effect of radome structures
Abstract The radome structure is composed of the supporting skeleton inside and the stressed skin (membrane) outside. In the previous structural analysis, the stressed skin effect from the envelope is not taken into account, which results in the design of this structure being conservative. To study the effect of the stressed skin on the structure behavior, an experimental study was carried out for a full-scale radome model which has a span of 5.8 m and a height of 4.3 m. A self-designed multi-stage distribution beam loading system was applied to the structure. Therefore, simultaneous loading was realized on the multi-point of the structure. Three load cases-completely covering membranes, partially covering membranes and framework-were considered respectively. Besides, a numerical simulation method for analyzing the overall stability of the radome structure with the consideration of the stressed skin effect is established, which is verified by the test results. Different from the previous structural analysis that the role of the envelope structure is not considered, the refined finite element model combines beam elements and shell elements to work together, which is a difficulty in the previous research. The mesh size guarantees both the accuracy of results and computational convergence. Considering geometric nonlinearity and material nonlinearity, the whole process stability analysis is carried out by the arc length method, and initial defects are introduced based on the consistent mode imperfection method. Finally, the mechanism of the stressed skin effect is revealed. Both the numerical and experimental study shows that due to the lateral bracing of the stressed skin, the prematurely elastic instability of the members around the weak axis is avoided. The global stability bearing capacity of the structure is significantly improved. As a result, in the design of such radomes, the stressed skin effect should be considered to solve the problem of structural safety and electromagnetic transparency.
Highlights An experimental study was carried out for a full-scale radome model. A numerical simulation method for analyzing the stressed skin effect is established. The mechanism of the stressed skin effect in radome structures is revealed. Due to the stressed skin effect, the global stability bearing capacity of the structure is significantly improved. In the design of such radomes, the stressed skin effect should be considered.
Numerical and experimental study of the stressed skin effect of radome structures
Abstract The radome structure is composed of the supporting skeleton inside and the stressed skin (membrane) outside. In the previous structural analysis, the stressed skin effect from the envelope is not taken into account, which results in the design of this structure being conservative. To study the effect of the stressed skin on the structure behavior, an experimental study was carried out for a full-scale radome model which has a span of 5.8 m and a height of 4.3 m. A self-designed multi-stage distribution beam loading system was applied to the structure. Therefore, simultaneous loading was realized on the multi-point of the structure. Three load cases-completely covering membranes, partially covering membranes and framework-were considered respectively. Besides, a numerical simulation method for analyzing the overall stability of the radome structure with the consideration of the stressed skin effect is established, which is verified by the test results. Different from the previous structural analysis that the role of the envelope structure is not considered, the refined finite element model combines beam elements and shell elements to work together, which is a difficulty in the previous research. The mesh size guarantees both the accuracy of results and computational convergence. Considering geometric nonlinearity and material nonlinearity, the whole process stability analysis is carried out by the arc length method, and initial defects are introduced based on the consistent mode imperfection method. Finally, the mechanism of the stressed skin effect is revealed. Both the numerical and experimental study shows that due to the lateral bracing of the stressed skin, the prematurely elastic instability of the members around the weak axis is avoided. The global stability bearing capacity of the structure is significantly improved. As a result, in the design of such radomes, the stressed skin effect should be considered to solve the problem of structural safety and electromagnetic transparency.
Highlights An experimental study was carried out for a full-scale radome model. A numerical simulation method for analyzing the stressed skin effect is established. The mechanism of the stressed skin effect in radome structures is revealed. Due to the stressed skin effect, the global stability bearing capacity of the structure is significantly improved. In the design of such radomes, the stressed skin effect should be considered.
Numerical and experimental study of the stressed skin effect of radome structures
Wu, Yue (author) / Wang, Le (author) / Xue, Peng (author) / Sun, Baohua (author) / Meng, Song (author)
Thin-Walled Structures ; 154
2020-04-17
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English