Multi-spherical-surface geometric configurations and analyses of inflatable combined cable–membrane structure for lunar habitation

• Study shape of inflatable combined cable–membrane lunar base structures.
• Reduce membrane stress level and have large compartment for habitation.
• Finite element analysis procedure for finding final geometric configuration.

The special environment on the moon provides new challenges to structural engineers for building structures satisfying special requirements for habitation. A method of defining geometric configurations of inflatable combined cable–membrane structures is proposed in the present paper. The geometric configuration is formed from a group of spherical membranes. The purpose of the multi-spherical surface layout is to reduce the stress level of the membrane while maintaining a sufficiently large compartment for habitation. A finite element analysis procedure is developed for finding the final geometric configuration from an initial configuration. The proposed method provides an alternative approach for constructing large-scale structures for the lunar habitation. Three numerical examples are provided to illustrate the idea and demonstrate the effectiveness of the analysis procedure.