Feasibility study of inflatable structures for a lunar base

The design of a structure on the moon requires addressing a host of issues not encountered on Earth. A modular inflatable structure consisting of thin membranes of composite material integrated with supporting columns and arches is proposed. An initial linear analysis of the structure is briefly reviewed. The actual response of an inflatable membrane is nonlinear and, hence, a nonlinear numerical analysis of the stresses and displacements was undertaken. Results indicate that an inflatable structure is a feasible concept for a lunar structure.