Geometric Nonlinear Analysis of a Deployable Beam

This paper presents a method for conducting a geometric nonlinear analysis of a deployable beam truss utilizing the MSC/NASTRAN* finite element analysis program. A deployable beam truss is a truss design beam that can be collapsed or packaged to a minimal size to satisfy transportation limitations and deployed to a working size often several orders of maginitude greater than the collapsed size. A finite element model of a deployable beam truss in its packaged configuration was generated using the MSC/NASTRAN finite element program. The geometric nonlinear solution was invoked to analyze the structure during its deployment. Results of this analysis included overall structural stability and the isolation of potential problem areas during deployment, as well as projected design ranges for truss member hinges.