Deployment behavior of bistable deployable composite booms with several cross sections: Analytical modelling and experimental validation

In the field of space deployable structures, bistable composite deployable booms (Bi-DCBs) have garnered extensive attention owing to their light weight, high stowage ratio, stable deployment, and superior mechanical performance. To meet the practical requirements for large-scaled and multi-functional Bi-DCBs in space missions, an analytical model is hereby established to predict deployment dynamics. Combining the Archimedes spiral formulation with classical laminate theory and energy principles, the model is utilized for geometric configurations described by specific conic-section equations (eccentricity ≤ 1). It also analyzes deployment behavior with uniform and non-uniform transverse deformation, enabling the derivation of key parameters such as deployed length and deployment time. Experiments on circular and non-circular cross sections are carried out to validate the analytical predictions for folded stable configurations and deployment time. A parametric study is further conducted on the circular and parabolic Bi-DCBs to investigate the influence of cross-sectional arc length, longitudinal length, thickness and stacking schemes on the dynamic deployment, thereby revealing the deployment characteristics of different cross sections. Overall, the proposed analytical model can not only provide a unified computational framework for Bi-DCBs with varying geometries and large sizes, but also offer a practical methodology for exploring deployment mechanisms and engineering designs.