Development of Deployable Elastic Composite Shape Memory Alloy Reinforced (DECSMAR) Structures

*& The objective of this research is to develop a novel. self-deployable truss architecture composed of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) tape-spring elements and embedded shape memory alloy (SMA) flexures; this particular structural system is referred to as deployable elastic composite shape memory alloy reinforced (DECSMAR) and is representative of a concentrated, material deformation based deployable architecture. The scope of this study encompasses applying fundamental principles of rational boom design relevant to all deployable structures, first to define the design space of the individual CFRP tape-spring element, then to conduct an exercise for a point design of a 180 mm radius DECSMAR boom with correlation to experimental analysis, and finally to explore performance implications of scaling the truss radius. Of particular interest was the design of the CFRP tape-spring element elastic-stability and stiffness properties, then to understand how load-path allocation between the frame-like longerons and battens and tension only diagonals proportions energy imparted from global loading through the structural network; thermal response was not investigated. Characterizing the enhancement the SMA flexure features purchase and design issues for package envelop optimization are pertinent to both individual CFRP tape-spring element and system wide design and are discussed throughout. Aspects of the architecture for tackle to further develop DECSMAR, including the selfdeployment scheme, will be focused on in a sequel manuscript to appear. Technology addressed through this research is intended to foster and mature successive large, launchpackaged concentrated strain structures.