DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURE

Deployable structures can be transformed from a small configuration to a much larger

configuration when open or deployed. These are referred to as structures that are erectable,
expandable, configurable, developable or not. (T J Chai and C S Tan 2019)

The architectural application of deployable structures can be turned into a large, open or
deployed space from a compact, closed or storage configuration to perform their architectural
function, such as disaster relief emergency shelters, maintenance facility, display and leisure.
To be able to apply the portability, ease and faster erection of the structure at a site the
structure should be at small to medium scale. There are structural systems that can be used for
mobile deployable structure such as deployable tensegrity, foldable membrane structures,
origami structure, scissor or pantographic structures and tensairity. (T J Chai and C S Tan
2019)

According to (T J Chai and C S Tan 2019), In designing a deployable structure, the

designer must evaluate the final expanded configuration of the structure to be able to find the
architectural function of the structure. The initial planning of a deployable structure is important,
the designer must know what is the shape of the structure and the direction of movement of
structure for its final design stage. The shape of the structure will affect the transmission of load
and direction of relying on deployable structure due to its mechanism. In designing a deployable
structure there are some considerations like the structural performance, material
measurements, joints/connections, and quality of material.

Deployable structures are very useful in this type of response the following needs: (T J Chai
and C S Tan 2019)

● A situation in which there is a need to create space for emergency purposes or

● Areas that difficult to access by trucks or any vehicles
● Needs to enclose space due to natural calamities or Shelters which can not be
transported in full open size and needs to be erected in a very quick way.
● In situations that there will be high risk of labor costs, unfriendly environment, and costly
transportation

There are two methods of deployability: the struts and surface structure. The struts are
typically connected by joints and hinges which commonly work as compression, tension or
bending components. The surface like pressurezide or inflatable construction carries only
tension. (3)
THE SCISSOR-HINGE MECHANISM

The SLE is made of two bars with revolving joints. Unit lines connect to the top and
bottom nodes of a scissor unit. These unit lines are parallel to a translation unit and remain
during deployment.(3)

Figure #. Transitional unit: a) plane unit, b) curve unit.(3)

(3)The tong is built by parallel SLEs with the simplest 2D deployable structure, shown in the
Figure #.

Figure #. A plane transitional scissor linkage, called a lazy tong. (3)

(3)There are bars of different measurements in the curved unit. The connection of these units to
their end nodes creates a curved connection, as it is shown in Figure #.
 Figure #. A curved translational linkage in its undeployed and deployed position.(3)

(1)T J Chai and C S Tan 2019 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 220 012034

(3)
Gheorghe Asachi
28-07-2014
Deployable Structures for Architectural Applications - a Short Review