Corotational 3D joint finite element tailored for the simulation of bistable deployable structures

Abstract The 3D deployable frames studied in this work are structures composed of elastic beam elements connected by complex joints. During transformation a controlled snap-through allows the instantaneous stabilization structure an open and closed, compact configuration. mechanics is highly nonlinear, since it relies on finite rotations structural elements. It also strongly influenced geometrical features required for manufacturing-ready design, such as size sufficient spacing between beams. These generally disregarded usual wireframe-based but they taken into account applying tailor-made corotational joint element, developed to incorporate naturally size, nonlinear stiffness friction effects. formulation proposed FE presented performance numerical implementation verified using computational benchmarks. then applied investigation response bistable from single module case large, structures. Among other findings, shown that incorporation model leads different mechanism significantly reduces peak force transformation, which could be basis future design strategies. Additionally pattern whole or following entirely modular (interconnected modules) compared, function size.