This paper details the experimental assessment and nonlinear finite-element analysis of the flexural behavior of inflated drop-stitch panels. Coupon-level fabric tests as well as panel inflation and panel torsion tests were performed to determine the effective orthotropic moduli of the panel fabric skin. Large displacement bending tests were conducted for a range of inflation pressures and two different span-to-depth ratios to assess the significance of these important parameters on panel stiffness and capacity. A novel, nonlinear beam finite-element modeling strategy for predicting the load–deflection behavior of inflatable drop-stitch panels subjected to bending loads is subsequently presented. The underlying Timoshenko beam element incorporates nonlinearity caused by fabric wrinkling, the work done by the internal pressure and its effect on panel stiffness and capacity, and the effect of the drop stitch yarns on panel bending response. Comparisons between model-predicted and measured panel load–displacement response demonstrate that the model is capable of predicting both pre- and post-wrinkling panel bending behavior over a wide range of deflections with reasonable accuracy. Additional model simulations demonstrate the significant impact of pressure–volume work, shear deformations, and drop yarns on panel bending response.

本文详细介绍了充气滴缝板弯曲行为的实验评估和非线性有限元分析。进行试样级织物测试以及面板膨胀和面板扭转测试以确定面板织物表层的有效正交各向异性模量。对一系列充气压力和两种不同的跨深比进行了大位移弯曲试验，以评估这些重要参数对面板刚度和承载力的重要性。随后提出了一种新颖的非线性梁有限元建模策略，用于预测承受弯曲载荷的充气滴缝板的载荷-挠度行为。底层的 Timoshenko 梁单元包含由织物起皱引起的非线性，内部压力所做的功及其对面板刚度和容量的影响，以及落针纱线对面板弯曲响应的影响。模型预测和测量的面板载荷-位移响应之间的比较表明，该模型能够以合理的准确度预测在各种变形范围内的起皱前和起皱后面板弯曲行为。额外的模型模拟证明了压力体积功、剪切变形和落纱对面板弯曲响应的显着影响。模型预测和测量的面板载荷-位移响应之间的比较表明，该模型能够以合理的准确度预测在各种变形范围内的起皱前和起皱后面板弯曲行为。额外的模型模拟证明了压力体积功、剪切变形和落纱对面板弯曲响应的显着影响。模型预测和测量的面板载荷-位移响应之间的比较表明，该模型能够以合理的准确度预测在广泛的挠度范围内起皱前和起皱后的面板弯曲行为。额外的模型模拟证明了压力体积功、剪切变形和落纱对面板弯曲响应的显着影响。