Deployable scissor arch for transitional shelters

• Design, analysis, and evaluation method for deployable transitional sheltering.
• Experimental study of prototype calibrates and validates method.
• Deployment demonstrated, efficient supports, improved behavior with passive cables.
• Final design according to the requirements of the European design code.

Disaster relief shelters must be transitional, meaning capable of serving an affected community from emergency, to rehabilitation, to reconstruction. Deployable scissor structures are well-suited for this application since they are lightweight, can be compactly packaged, and have a high volume expansion ratio. Their constitutive parts can be reused and reconfigured to facilitate rehabilitation and reconstruction. This paper presents a preliminary concept for a deployable scissor shelter, including its design, analysis, and experimental validation on a full-scale prototype. First, the conceptual design and analysis using a parametric finite element method are presented. Testing of the prototype is then employed to evaluate the deployment process, support conditions and stiffening elements. Experimental data from these studies validates results from the finite element model, suggesting that the modeling tool is effective for the design of transitional shelters. A final design is presented which meets the requirements of the European Standards.