Modular deployable composite shelters - truss system

Abstract

Deployable shelters of various forms have been utilized since ancient civilization. The need for these systems has not diminished over time and development continues for military forces, civilian humanitarian aid, and post-natural disaster scenarios. Recent developments have focused mainly on tent type structures, air beam technology and steel frames supporting soft fabric, yet none of these have fully satisfied the deployability requirements. The Military Modular Shelter System (M2S2) initiative is a research project that aims to develop a fiber composite re-deployable arched shelter system with rigid PVC or fabric cladding. The main frames are formed from modular fiber composite panels that are connected and stressed into position by prestressing cables. Different geometries can be obtained using this system by changing the number of panels per frame and the packer sizes between panels. This paper presents the development and testing of some innovative fiber composite truss modules that were investigated as part of this project.