Session: 01-01-01: Advanced Structural Mechanics and Computational Methods for Aerospace Applications

Paper Number: 182927

182927 - Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Tensile Crosslinked Net Structures 

Lightweight, economical cable nets with orthogonal-grid spacing have been widely used for infrastructure applications. These cable elements are often arranged in a saddle shape tensile structure for their high strength and exceptional material efficiency. However, saddle shaped nets are also recognized for their poor deployability due to net slack. This paper will present an innovative approach of using lightweight crosslinks to connect the adjacent net cell edges to adjust the shape of the net structure to avoid net slack while meeting the design requirements. Experimental and computational investigations are both used to investigate the effect of crosslinks on structural response of net structures under central point loads [1]. A flat, unit-square net with a 10×10 orthogonal grid was investigated with varying numbers of crosslinks. Finite element analysis considering large deformation was used to study the net structures with crosslinks, and physical model experiments were used to validate the finite element results. Our results show that the net structure with increasing crosslink count produced progressively more consistent behavior across varied support conditions. With crosslinks in 24 of the 100 cells, four distinct support configurations, spanning different degrees of saddle curvature, exhibited nearly identical load-deflection responses. This consistency of structural response across different support conditions is a novel behavior for a saddle shaped tensile net and is an indication of vastly improved deployability. It is expected that crosslinked nets could shift these systems from bespoke, one-off designs to scalable, mass-produced solutions suitable for terrestrial infrastructure and prospective lunar habitat applications.

[1] James Cheh, "EXPERIMENT AND ANALYSIS OF A NET STRUCTURE WITH CROSSLINKS" Master of Science, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK, 2025

Presenting Author: Wei Zhao Oklahoma State University

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Wei Zhao is currently an Assistant Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. He earned his PhD in Aerospace Engineering at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA). Dr. Zhao has a wide range of research interests in structures and materials, aeroelasticity, and multidisciplinary design optimization. Dr. Zhao is a senior member of of AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). He is an elected member of both AIAA Structures Technical Committee and ASME Structure Material Technical Committee. He is recipient of AIAA Abe Zarem Educator Award and AIAA Structures Best Paper Award 2024.