Dissertations and Theses
Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Mechanical Engineering
First Advisor
Ali Sadegh
Second Advisor
Feridum Delale
Keywords
Drop stitch, Shear test, Inflatable
Abstract
The mechanical properties of drop stitch fabric materials in tension and shear has been investigated for use in designing structural applications such as ship construction, modular buildings, inflatable structures, aquatic vehicles, sporting goods and temporary field equipment installations. The goal of testing is to improve the understanding of the mechanical properties, which can aid in application development for structural deployments using these unique materials. The benefits of using rigid drop stitch fabric panels in ship and building construction are their light weight and rigidity. The epoxy resin infused fabric is corrosion and degradation resistant while providing a more robust resistance to loads and damage in hazardous environments. Inflatable drop stitch fabric materials can form rigid shapes that resist bending and bowing better than those utilizing standard fabric materials. The inflated drop stitch panels can be highly pressurized to allow for greater load capacities and higher resistance to flexing. The greatest benefit of using inflatable structures over rigid ones is their inherent portability which can greatly reduce setup times and transportation needs in rugged environments and over difficult terrain. These materials can be used to replace rigid structural elements in applications that were previously thought impossible for an inflatable design. The many benefits of using drop stitch fabric materials has spurred a great interest in better understanding how to best utilize their unique properties.
Recommended Citation
Felicissimo, Roberto, "Exploration of the Mechanical Properties of both Ridged and Inflated Drop Stitch Fabric Material" (2015). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/688