Explicit finite deformation analysis of isogeometric membranes

NURBS-based isogeometric analysis was first extended to thin shell/membrane structures which allows for finite membrane stretching as well as large deflection and bending strain. The assumed non-linear kinematics employs the Kirchhoff-Love shell theory to describe the mechanical behaviour of thin to ultra-thin structures. The displacement fields are interpolated from the displacements of control points only, and no rotational degrees of freedom are used at control points. Due to the high order C-k (k >= 1) continuity of NURBS shape functions the Kirchhoff-Love theory can be seamlessly implemented. An explicit time integration scheme is used to compute the transient response of membrane structures to time-domain excitations, and a dynamic relaxation method is employed to obtain steady-state solutions. The versatility and good performance of the present formulation are demonstrated with the aid of a number of test cases, including a square membrane strip under static pressure, the inflation of a spherical shell under internal pressure, the inflation of a square airbag and the inflation of a rubber balloon. The mechanical contribution of the bending stiffness is also evaluated. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.