Deployable Structures Constructed from Composite Origami

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to construct lightweight, deployable, yet stiff structures made from composite origami. In particular, the deployable origami structures manufactured in this study are based on the Tachi-Miura-Polyhedron (TMP). The TMP is a bellows-like structure that can be stored in a flat state and deployed to a finite volume with defined axial stiffness. The stiffness is highly tunable and depends on several geometric properties as well as the material properties of the crease-lines. The structure can exhibit auxetic behavior among other interesting traits when tuned properly. This study will focus on the manufacturing of this origami utilizing composite materials which can offer a lower weight and higher stiffness solution for constructing the TMP for real world engineering applications. Prototypes are constructed with dry glass fibers to form the crease-lines. Polyurethane resin is then infused to bond the structure together and protect the resin. This research can contribute to the design of origami-based deployable structures in industry and research. The manufacturing process used is relatively simple since it does not require a complex system of moving parts or mechanical connections. Additionally, this structure is hollow and therefore offers a space filling feature which gives it great potential as a space structure or a disaster relief shelter.