Coiling and deploying dynamic optimization of a C-cross section thin-walled composite deployable boom

Abstract

A C-cross section thin-walled composite deployable boom (C boom) can be flattened and coiled elastically. Furthermore, C boom can be deployed by releasing stored strain energy. Finite element (FE) models of C booms are constructed based on a nonlinear explicit dynamics analysis. The full simulation is divided into six consecutive steps: flattening, end-compacting, releasing, coiling, holding, and deploying around a hub. An optimal design method for the coiling and deploying of the C boom is presented based on the response surface method (RSM). Twenty-seven sample points are obtained by using a full-factorial design of experiment method. Surrogate models of the maximum moment and stress during the fully simulated process, including the mass of the C boom, are created by the RSM. The maximum moment and mass are set as objectives, and the maximum stress is set as a constraint to increase deploying statue stiffness and enhance use times. A multi-objective optimization design of the C boom is performed by sequential quadratic programming algorithm. Lastly, FE models for the optimal design are built to validate the accuracy of the optimization and the response surface results.