Structural stability of multi-folding structures with contact problem

This paper presents the theoretical basis for both static and dynamic numerical approaches to the elastic stability of a folding multi-layered truss. Both analyses are based on bifurcation theory and include geometrical nonlinearity. The dynamic analysis includes an allowance for contact between nodes. Comparisons are made between published experimental folding patterns and the patterns obtained from both numerical methods in which bifurcations are demonstrated as elastic unstable snap-through behaviour. Several folding patterns are identified during the elastic instability where the folding behaviour of the truss is shown to be a function of the initial geometry and velocity of the dynamic loading. The authors suggest that the understanding of the behaviour will be very useful for the development of light weight structures subject to dynamic loading based on the bifurcation static analysis and dynamic analysis (using both the displacement control method and the load control method).