A Computer Model for Stress Analysis of Spherically Curved Solar Panels

Spherically curved solar reflectors consist of a thin glass plate elastically bent to form a spherical surface, glued onto a honeycomb backing, and covered with steel plates at the back and with plastic strips on the sides. Nonlinear Von Karman plate equations are used to analyze the induced stresses in the glass plate as its deflections become large. The analysis consists of evaluation of stresses due to bending and membrane forces during the forming of the spherical surface, along with the calculation of edge moments and the transverse loads due to molds. The interaction of the plate with the honeycomb is analyzed assuming that the plate is resting on an elastic foundation (honeycomb), where the edge moments and the transverse forces calculated earlier are released. The results are compared with other available solutions as well as experimental data.