Surface contour of a biaxially strained, doubly curved antenna reflective mesh

The elastic membrane equations which describe the deflection of a biaxially tensioned reflective mesh from an idealized surface were developed and solved. The conditions of equilibrium of the forces acting on a membrane element furnish equations which may be used to solve a variety of problems. Configurations considered include continuous, as well as incremental mesh attachment to structural members to form shapes which are approximately parabolic or spherical.