Analysis of Buckling Characteristics and Parameter Influence of Composite Thin-walled Lenticular Boom Structures

The stretchable composite thin-walled lenticular boom can be used in the unfolding process of a large spacecraft structure, and its buckling characteristic is one of the focuses of structural design. In this paper, firstly, the critical buckling load formula is derived based on Euler’s formula and laminated theory for the axial compression buckling problem of the lenticular boom, and verified by the finite element method. Secondly, the influence law of the lenticular boom section and layer parameters on the critical buckling load is quantitatively analyzed. The results show that the lenticular boom generally undergoes first-order buckling in the outer direction of the symmetrical bonding surface. The critical buckling load is most significantly affected by the radius of the convex arc, followed by the center ordinate of the convex arc, the thickness of the layer, and the angle of the layer. And these parameters are positively related to the critical buckling load. The radius of the concave arc and the length of the straight section have little effect on the critical buckling load. The research methods and conclusions of this paper can provide reference for the engineering design of the lenticular boom structure.