Pressurized Space Station Module with Stiffened Shell and Truss

Statics & Dynamics (beam-shell)PASS · 0.11%

Cabin atmospheric pressurization (dp = 101.3 kPa, 1 atm) and cantilever dynamic frequency of a space station pressurized module (D = 4.2 m, L = 8.4 m, skin t = 4 mm) stiffened by 24 longitudinal stringers, ring frames, and integrated truss segment: hoop stress… show full text

Tolerance:: 5%

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Problem statement

Geometry: Space station pressurized module: cylindrical barrel R = 2.1 m, total length L = 8.4 m, skin thickness t = 4.0 mm, cone adapters (t = 5 mm), CBM docking rings (box 100×80×10 mm), 24 stringers, ring frames every 1.0 m, equipment deck panel (t = 30 mm), 14 equipment racks (4.8 t total mass), and 16 m square truss structu… show full text
Space station pressurized module: cylindrical barrel R = 2.1 m, total length L = 8.4 m, skin thickness t = 4.0 mm, cone adapters (t = 5 mm), CBM docking rings (box 100×80×10 mm), 24 stringers, ring frames every 1.0 m, equipment deck panel (t = 30 mm), 14 equipment racks (4.8 t total mass), and 16 m square truss structure. Total assembled model: 5,935 nodes, 5,856 quad shells, 1,800 beam stiffeners, 35,610 DOFs.
Material: Spaceflight aluminum alloy: E = 72 GPa, ν = 0.33, ρ = 2800 kg/m³.
Boundary conditions: 1) Pressurization: internal atmospheric pressure dp = 101.3 kPa across all shell patches; 3-2-1 isostatic boundary conditions at mid-barrel ring to eliminate rigid body motion while preserving free radial expansion. 2) Cantilever dynamics: clamped root ring at j0 (all 6 DOFs).
Measured quantity: Mid-bay pressurization response: analytical reference hoop stress σ_θ = pR/t = 53.182 MPa, computed 53.153 MPa (0.05% deviation); axial stress σ_x = pR/(2t) = 26.591 MPa, computed 26.577 MPa (0.05% deviation); radial expansion u_r = [pR²/(Et)]·(1-ν/2) = 1.2952 mm, computed 1.2966 mm (0.11% deviation). Cantilever fundam… show full text
Mid-bay pressurization response: analytical reference hoop stress σ_θ = pR/t = 53.182 MPa, computed 53.153 MPa (0.05% deviation); axial stress σ_x = pR/(2t) = 26.591 MPa, computed 26.577 MPa (0.05% deviation); radial expansion u_r = [pR²/(Et)]·(1-ν/2) = 1.2952 mm, computed 1.2966 mm (0.11% deviation). Cantilever fundamental bending frequency: Timoshenko reference with rotary inertia and shear deformation (A_s = A/2) 43.566 Hz, computed 43.160 Hz (0.93% deviation).

WebCAE Terminal

Paste these commands into the Terminal panel inside WebCAE. They use the same text DSL as the application; run one command per line:

units m
material E=72e9 nu=0.33 density=2800
frame up=z
frame patch geom=cyl o=0,0,0 axis=1,0,0 ref=0,0,1 r=2.1 a0=0 a1=360 len=2.1 nu=48 nv=14 t=0.004
frame patch geom=cyl o=2.1,0,0 axis=1,0,0 ref=0,0,1 r=2.1 a0=0 a1=360 len=2.1 nu=48 nv=14 t=0.004
frame patch geom=cyl o=4.2,0,0 axis=1,0,0 ref=0,0,1 r=2.1 a0=0 a1=360 len=2.1 nu=48 nv=14 t=0.004
frame patch geom=cyl o=6.3,0,0 axis=1,0,0 ref=0,0,1 r=2.1 a0=0 a1=360 len=2.1 nu=48 nv=14 t=0.004
frame stiffen patch=1 i="0:47:2" section=tee d1=0.03 d2=0.04 d3=0.002 d4=0.0025 flush=inner
frame stiffen patch=2 i="0:47:2" section=tee d1=0.03 d2=0.04 d3=0.002 d4=0.0025 flush=inner
frame stiffen patch=3 i="0:47:2" section=tee d1=0.03 d2=0.04 d3=0.002 d4=0.0025 flush=inner
frame stiffen patch=4 i="0:47:2" section=tee d1=0.03 d2=0.04 d3=0.002 d4=0.0025 flush=inner
frame support patch=1 side=j0 dofs=all
frame solve modal nmodes=10
frame probe frequency mode=1 id="f1"

Results comparison

Reference value	53.182 MPa (hoop), 26.591 MPa (axial), 1.2952 mm (ur), 43.566 Hz (f1 Timoshenko)
Our result	53.153 MPa (hoop, 0.05%), 26.577 MPa (axial, 0.05%), 1.2966 mm (ur, 0.11%), 43.160 Hz (f1, 0.93%)
Deviation	0.11%
Tolerance	5%
Status	PASS · 0.11%
Element family	Beam + Shell
Mesh details	5856 shell quad + 1800 beam stiffeners (frame patch + frame stiffen), 5935 nodes, 35610 DOFs; webcae_solve

Updated: 2026-10-19 · WebCAE solver