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.