Arch-Supported Reticulated Shell Structures and Their Static Mechanical Behaviour

Abstract

Based on the structural features of reticulated shells, arch structures, etc., arch-supported reticulated shell structures have been developed as a new large-span space structural system. In the paper, the acceptability of this hybrid structural system and the reasonable combination of arch structures and reticulated shells with different Gaussian curvatures are discussed. Several ideas on using arch-supported reticulated shell structures to form openable structures are also mentioned. Compared to single-layer reticulated shells, the mechanical behaviour of the hybrid structures, especially the influence of initial geometrical imperfection, was investigated through nonlinear analysis and experimental research on three typical models. Analysis indicates that hybrid structures can efficiently decrease the geometrical imperfection sensitivity and improve their integral mechanical behaviour, which proves that this type of hybrid structures can be used widely.