An experiment was conducted to verify the FEM thermoelastic models. The experimental setup consisted of a mylar balloon and the following subsystems

Schematic experimental setup (plan view). A = Capacitec sensor; B = Robot; C = Tensioning system; D = Support system; E = Pressure system; F = Hot air gun; G = Infrared Camera; H = Computer.

1. Temperature generation & measurement system: The balloon was heated with a hot air gun, which was mounted on a stand facing normal to the balloon surface at a distance of approximately 1 ft. (30.5 cm).

Experimental setup with the hot air gun.

To measure the temperature along the 0-degree meridian, a Video Therm 2000 infrared camera was used. The thermography service was supplied by InfraTech Systems of Rapid City, South Dakota.

Video Therm 2000 (foreground) was used to take the temperature measurements.

2. Robot measurement system: The profile mapping system consisted of an industrial robot, controlled by a personal computer, and a Capacitec sensor.

Measurements are taken by the robotic arm.

Experimental Results :

The symbols used to analyze the experimental data are the following:

wetu0 = experimental z displacement, temperature = uniform at 0-degree F.

wetg = experimental z displacement with temperature gradient.

weptu0 = Reference parabola, temperature = uniform at 0-degree F.

weptg = Reference parabola with temperature gradient.

Experimentally measured profiles.

The rms error increased for both the cases after a temperature gradient was applied.

Experiments were conducted by S. M. Faisal grad student Mechanical engineering.