Bending performance of an inflation-powered bistable folding beam

Abstract

Temporary structures necessitate lightweight, easy transportation, and rapid deployment. However, conventional metal temporary bridges are often constrained by weight and scale, while inflatable structures rely on the maintenance of internal over-pressure for stability. To address this issue, a bistable folding beam that can be unfolded through pneumatic actuation is created by integrating origami with inflatable structures. Utilizing planar laser cutting techniques, a novel folding beam is manufactured, followed by three-point bending tests to analyze its bending performance. The evaluation includes considering factors such as internal air pressure, support conditions, folding/unfolding cycles, and geometric parameters. The findings reveal that the beam’s foldable nature compromises its structural strength. Nevertheless, enhanced bending performance can be achieved through measures such as increased support end constraints, the addition of upper section plates, and adjustments to the angles of the basic units.