Publications Details

Dynamic modeling and experimental validation of a cable-loaded panel

Coombs, Douglas M.; Goodding, James C.; Babuška, Vit; Ardelean, Emil V.; Robertson, Lawrence M.; Lane, Steven A.

Power and signal cable harnesses on spacecraft are often at 10% of the total mass and can be as much as 30%. These cable harnesses can impact the structural dynamics of spacecraft significantly, specifically by damping the response. Past efforts have looked at how to calculate cable properties and the validation of these cable models on one-dimensional beam structures with uniform cable lengths. This paper looks at how to extend that process to two-dimensional spacecraftlike panels with nonuniform cable lengths. A shear beam model is used for cable properties. Two methods of calculating the tiedown stiffness are compared. Of particular interestis whetherornot handbooks of cable properties canbe created ahead of time and applied with confidence. There are three frequency bands inwhich cable effects canbe described. Before any cables become resonant, the cable effects are dominated by mass and static stiffness. After all the cables become resonant, the effect is dominated by increased damping in the structure. In between these two frequency cutoff points, there is a transition zone. The dynamic cable modeling methodis validated as a distinct improvement over the lumped-mass characterization of cables commonly used today. Copyright © 2011 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics,.