Deflection model considering pressure following effect and test system design of an inflatable cantilever beam

A calculated model based on Euler-Bernoulli beam is established by adopting the criterion of zero minor principal stress and considering effects of internal pressure. An iterative solving method is proposed and the corresponding program is created in MATLAB platform. Then an experiment set-up is designed to measure the deflection of an inflatable cantilever beam. A combined loading control method is used to apply the tip load on the beam, and the tip displacement is picked up by a laser displacement sensor. Comparisons between experimental and calculated results show that the pressure following effect contributes to its load-carrying capabilities and the bending stiffness is so evident that should not be neglected.