Date of Award

3-26-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering

Department

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

First Advisor

Alan L. Jennings, PhD.

Abstract

Composite tape springs present an opportunity to use stored energy for the deployment of space structures. Concern has risen over the dissipation of strain energy during storage due to viscoelasticity inherent in polymeric materials commonly used as the composite matrix. Tests to measure the internal behavior of a composite tape spring over time are conducted along with methods of analyzing and fitting the resulting data. The three constant strain configurations tested were compression force of the cross section, a restraining force of a longitudinal fold, and the change in shape of a folded section. While the shape changing test did not appear to be sensitive enough, the stress tests proved useful for measuring relaxation.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENY-MS-15-M-221

DTIC Accession Number

ADA623246

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