Morphing composites have the potential to significantly reduce the mass and volume of
deployable space components, expanding the applicability of smaller spacecraft to
interplanetary missions and beyond. In this thesis, the analytical modelling of the morphing
composite cylindrical lattice is further developed from a one-dimensional model by
including the transverse curvatures, membrane strains and thermal residual effects, to
improve the applicability of the morphing lattice to deployable systems. To this end, the
analytical model is utilised in the development of a deployable space boom and a new
deployable toroidal lattice. The morphing composite lattice is a structure comprising helical
strips of carbon fibre composite, bound to a cylindrical shape. By tailoring the
manufacturing parameters of the composite strips, the lattice is capable of morphing from
a compact stowed shape to an extended deployed shape and any configuration in-between.
In this work, the modelling of the lattice is enhanced by including the transverse curvature
and membrane strains in the calculation of the stability landscape. The new formulation is
capable of modelling lattice strips of arbitrary width that use symmetrical laminates.
Further improvements include the addition of thermal strains and curvatures that develop
during the cool down after curing at an elevated temperature. These thermal components
have the potential to significantly alter the stability landscape of the lattice. This model was
subsequently used to develop a thermally actuating lattice that is stowed at room
temperature and self-deploys at 120°C. The accuracy of these models is verified through
comparison with both finite element modelling and experimental testing.
The developed model is then used to design two lattices for use in a deployable space boom.
This boom weighs only 0.4kg and morphs from a compact 1U (1000 cm3
) form factor, to
an extended length of 2m. The lattices of the boom are tested in deployment force and
bending experiments, which correlate well with numerical models. Finally, a new type of
morphing lattice has also been developed that deploys along a toroidal path, rather than a
straight one. It achieves its unique deployment path by the tailoring the pitch of the lattice
fasteners. A numerical model of the curved lattice is developed to predict the stability
landscape, which is verified by comparison with experimental testing
