Determining folded stable state of bistable deployable composite boom: An improved two-parameter analytical model

The bistable deployable composite boom (Bi-DCB) has garnered considerable interest in the space industry due to its lightweight design, ease of manufacturing, simple structure, and high controllability. In this study, an improved two-parameter analytical model proposed to investigate the folded stable state of the Bi-DCB. The analytical model drew inspiration from the classical Archimedes' helix and utilized the principle of minimum energy to anticipate the folded stable state of the Bi-DCB. Furthermore, two classic failure criteria were utilized to determine the failure indices of six Bi-DCBs in their folded stable state. To verify the accuracy of the improved two-parameter analytical model, a comparison was made between the predicted results and those obtained from both experimental data and two finite element models (FEMs), which demonstrate strong agreement. The results suggest that the Bi-DCB has great potential as a promising alternative for deployable structures, thanks to its superior mechanical properties and ease of deployment.