Membrane Buckling Patterns and Secondary Buckling Analysis

Abstract

In this paper, the shear wrinkles of a rectangular membrane under the pretension were analyzed firstly. A critical shear distance was then obtained based on the tension field theory. An expression between the wavelength and the amplitude of the membrane wrinkles were developed using the Von Karman large deflection formula. The simulation flow of the membrane wrinkles were also established using the nonlinear post-buckling analytical method. The results indicated that the wrinkle was firstly generated on both sides of the membrane and then extended to the center. The wrinkle amplitude increased with the shear distance increases. The wrinkle formation and expansion were effectively resisted by increasing the initial pretension. Buckling mode of the shear membrane was unstable in the post-buckling process and the secondary buckling phenomenon was obviously observed. The theoretical and numerical results were compared to verify the rationality of the theoretical and simulation results.