Equilibrium path and stability analysis of rigid origami using energy minimization of frame model

This paper presents a method of equilibrium path analysis and stability analysis of an equilibrium state for a rigid origami, which consists of rigid flat faces connected by straight crease lines (folding lines) and can be folded and unfolded without deformation of its faces. This property is well suited to the application to deployable structures and morphing building envelopes consisting of stiff panels. In this study, a frame model which consists of hinges and rigid frame members is used to model the kinematics of a rigid origami. Faces and crease lines of a rigid origami are represented by frame members and hinges, respectively. External loads are applied to the nodes of a frame model, and the displacements of some nodes are fixed. Small rotational stiffness proportional to the length of a crease line is assumed in each hinge to uniquely determine the equilibrium state, which is obtained by solving the optimization problem for minimizing the total potential energy under the conditions so that the displacements of the nodes and the members are compatible. The optimization problem is solved by the augmented Lagrangian method, and the positive definiteness of the Hessian of the augmented Lagrangian is investigated to determine the stability of the equilibrium state. Equilibrium path analyses are carried out and bifurcations of the equilibrium paths are investigated for examples with waterbomb patterns.

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