Design and structural analysis of a 70‐m metal space‐frame radome

Abstract

SummaryThe electrical performance of an antenna is usually affected by the stiffness, intensity, and stability of the radome structure. Thus, radome structural analysis is of great concern to designers. Taking a 70‐m radome structure to be built in the future with a 50‐m aperture antenna structure as the study platform, its mechanical behavior and electrical properties are analyzed and discussed. First, a detailed introduction regarding the method and principle of radome partitioning is presented. Based these methods, random divisions on radome plates are conducted using a specially developed program, and thereby, a whole spherical‐segment model is established. In addition, focusing on the finite element model of a steel radome structure, static mechanical, seismic response, modality, and stability analyses are performed, such that the member sections of the radome structure, adopting two kinds of materials, are determined. The results show that the mechanical properties of the structure are superior and that all indices meet the requirements in the safety evaluation. Just as noteworthy, the influencing mechanism of structural deformation of the radome on electrical performance is examined, and in particular, the reason why large deformation does not greatly degrade electrical performance is presented. Subsequently, a novel method for describing deformation is put forth to accurately estimate the effects of structural deformation on electrical performance. These achievements provide references for structural design and construction as well as maintenance of similar common metal space‐truss radomes.