Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

0009-0008-9241-8688

Advisor

Khare, Vivek

Committee Member

Khare, Vivek

Committee Member

Kim, Han-Gyu

Committee Member

Hamillage, Milinda

Date of Degree

8-12-2026

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Aerospace Engineering

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

James Worth Bagley College of Engineering

Department

Department of Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

Deployable space structures can be stowed in a compact form and later allowed to their operational shape. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have been utilized as a material candidate due to their increased strength-to-weight ratio and tailored performance. Current challenges associated with CFRP composites are driven by the viscoelastic nature of the polymer matrix causing long-term stowage effects and deployment issues such as shape deformation and incomplete recovery. In this study, a shape memory polymer (SMP) is presented as a potential option in mitigating these issues. An epoxy SMP is synthesized and experimentally characterized and its performance in the composite is computationally modeled in Abaqus. Structural performance between the base CFRP composite and SMPC are obtained through bending moment, curvature, and strain. The results show that the epoxy SMP could be considered as a viable option as the polymer matrix in a thin-ply CFRP composite for space structure applications.

Sponsorship (Optional)

Department of Aerospace Engineering

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