Failure Analysis of Deployable Thin-Shell Space Structures Using Refined One-Dimensional Finite Elements

This study investigates the failure of ultra-thin deployable composite structures. The analysis focuses on a laminated tape spring composed of three layers of glass fibre and carbon fibre reinforced polymers, subjected to opposing bending moments at its ends. The Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF) is employed for the numerical analysis within a geometrically nonlinear framework. This approach enables the accurate evaluation of the complete three-dimensional (3D) stress state at each equilibrium configuration. The Hashin 3D criterion is then applied to compute failure indices, allowing for the identification of critical points along the nonlinear equilibrium path. The results conclusively identify the mid-span section as the most critical region, with matrix-dominated failure modes being predominant.