Deployable cable-chain structures: Morphology, structural response and robustness study

A novel deployable cable-chain structure (DCCS), which consists of a single layer of strut chains interconnected by cable elements, has been developed for small and medium span applications. High tensile cables are used to stabilize the overall system in the deployed state and to provide adequate structural stiffness and strength. Based on the concept of DCCS, various structural forms such as barrel vaults, geodesic domes, booms and their combinations can be generated. Their deployment and folding patterns are investigated through morphology study. Special honey-comb socket joints are developed to facilitate rapid deployment and on-site assembly. Scaled prototypes of DCCS are built to verify the deployment mechanism. Comparison studies carried out on foldable plate and foldable bar Structures suggest that the proposed DCCS has higher deployment ratio and lower self-weight. Nonlinear inelastic analysis is performed on DCCS to study its load-displacement behaviour and its structural robustness against the sudden loss of a structural member.