Large Deformations of Rotating Polygonal Space Structures

Watson, Layne T. and Wang, C. Y. (1990) Large Deformations of Rotating Polygonal Space Structures. Technical Report TR-90-49, Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Abstract

The effects of rotation on space structures are very important nowadays. Because the structures are large and thus relatively flexible, unacceptable stresses or deformations may occur due to centrifugal forces. In a recent paper we considered the effects of rotation on an unbalanced circular ring. The present note studies a related problem, i.e., the free rotation of polygonal frames. These shapes are basic in structural design.