Anisogrid composite lattice structures for spacecraft and aircraft applications

Abstract The paper is concerned with Anisogrid (Anisotropic Grid) composite lattice structures whose load-bearing shell is formed by systems of geodesic unidirectional composite ribs made by automatic wet winding process. Developed about 25 years ago for spacecraft application, Anisogrid structures are now under serial production in the Russian Central Research Institute for Special Machinery and demonstrate high weight and cost efficiency in comparison with rib-stringer stiffened traditional aluminum prototypes and their composite analogues. Existing methods of design, analysis and manufacturing of Anisogrid structures are summarized and discussed in application to aerospace structures. Particular emphasis is placed on the correspondence between the Geodesic structural concept developed for wooden and metal airplanes more than 60 years ago and modern Anisogrid composite structures. It is advocated that the combination of the geodesic airframe structures whose load-bearing capacity is provided by the system of properly directed ribs and the Anisogrid technology which allows us to make unidirectional composite ribs with extremely high specific strength and stiffness by continuous winding can result in the structures whose weight and cost efficiency is considerably higher than is demonstrated by traditional stiffened structures (made of metals or composites).