This paper presents a method for computing an info-gap robustness function of structures, which is regarded as one measure of structural robustness, under uncertainties associated with the limit load factor. We assume that the external load in the plastic limit analysis is uncertain around its nominal value. Various uncertainties are considered for the live, dead, and reference disturbance load...

Deployable structures are a common spacecraft configuration feature. Deployables are used to configure spacecraft inertia properties, provide expanded antenna aperture and solar array area, or to provide separation between spacecraft components. Lightsat design would be especially enhanced by small size lightweight deployable structures. A review of the state of the art of deployable structures...

In this theoretical research work, the fracture characteristics of graphene-modified polymer nanocomposites were studied. A three-dimensional representative volume element-based multiscale model was developed in a finite element environment. Graphene sheets were modeled in an atomistic state, whereas the polymer matrix was modeled as a continuum. Van der Waals interactions between the matrix an...

We present data from the Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU) that is deployed on the starboard truss of the International Space Station. The FPMU is a suite of instruments capable of redundant measurements of various plasma parameters. The instrument suite consists of a floating potential probe, a wide-sweeping spherical Langmuir probe, a narrow-sweeping cylindrical Langmuir probe, and a...

It is well known that two regular tetrahedra can be combined with a single regular octahedron to tile (complete fill) three-dimensional Euclidean space . This structure was called the "octet truss" by Buckminster Fuller. It was believed that such a tiling, which is the Delaunay tessellation of the face-centered cubic (fcc) lattice, and its closely related stacking variants, are the only tessell...

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t Let M be a countably infinite first order relational structure which is homogeneous in the sense of Fraïssé. We show, under the assumption that the class of finite substructures of M has the free amalgamation property, along with the assumption that Aut(M) is transitive on M but not equal to Sym(M), that Aut(M) is a simple group. This generalises results of...

Recently, a new type of mechanism called compliant mechanism has been developed and applied mainly in the field of micro-mechanics. A compliant mechanism has flexible parts to stabilize the structure, which is contrary to the conventional unstable mechanism. Although a compliant mechanism is usually modeled as a continuum with elastic joints, it is possible to generate the similar mechanism by ...

3D braided composite joints are the important components in CFRP truss, which have significant influence on the reliability and lightweight of structures. To investigate the mechanical performance of 3D braided composite joints, a numerical method based on the microscopic mechanics is put forward, the modeling technologies, including the material constants selection, element type, grid size, an...