Experimental measurement of wrinkling in membranes undergoing planar deformation

True membranes are no-compression structures which exhibit the unique response of wrinkling. Prediction of the associated wrinkle parameters is of practical importance. Accurate measurement of membrane wrinkling has heretofore not been presented in the literature; among other requirements, noncontact methods must be used. First, some background information on membrane wrinkling prediction and measurement is given. Then, an experimental apparatus is discussed within which a membrane was subject to planar loading. The measurement system consisted of a capacitance-based noncontact displacement sensor mounted in anXYZ frame. A computer controlled the forces applied to the membrane, as well as the motion of theXYZ frame during data acquisition. Results are presented and conclusions are drawn regarding the wrinkle parameters.