Experimental and numerical investigation of the deployment behaviour of creased membrane

The utilization of large deployable space membrane structures has the potential to offer substantial cost reduction in space programmes and systematically creased membrane structures exhibiting fascinating folding patterns provide exceptional compaction capabilities by facilitated movement along predefined paths for packaging and deployment. This study used experimental and numerical techniques to investigate the minimum load requirements for efficient and controlled deployment of single-creased Kapton membrane. The experimentally determined crease stiffness was incorporated into numerical modelling where the crease was idealized as Join + Rotation type connector. The creased membrane begins to unfold upon applying the actuation load, attains its fully deployed state, and the corresponding displacement data were recorded using a laser displacement sensor for multiple stages. Numerical results aligned quite well with experimental findings, though slight deviations were observed and acknowledged in this study. The investigation demonstrated that an external force of 1.12 × 10 ⁻³ N was sufficient to deploy the creased membrane from an initial folded area of 500 mm² to an effective area of 972.48 mm². Stress analysis revealed peak levels localized within a 1.55 mm range on both sides of the crease line. Significantly, the maximum induced stress remained below the membrane’s yield strength, thereby averting additional permanent deformations and reducing the risk of structural failure or uncontrolled motion. The validated methodology was further extended to a 3 crease configuration, demonstrating consistent deployment efficiency with 3.1 times higher area expansion from the folded state, enabling an efficient 4:1 compaction ratio for large-scale deployable structures. Multi-crease deployment exhibits sequential crease opening from the actuated to fixed edge, maintaining all stresses below 30% of yield strength. The multi-crease configuration requires a force of 0.1 N at near-complete deployment, with a wavelength and amplitude of 74.94 mm and 12.64 mm, respectively, and uniform membrane tension confirmed throughout the deployed configuration.