Experimental studies of the operation of a frameless building made of thin-gauge structural sections

Abstract

Light metal structures (LMS) are widely spread in domestic construction industry. A promising direction for the development of LMS includes prefabricated shell structures made of thin-gauge structural sections. The scope and operating conditions of such structures are quite extensive. In this regard, the development of a competent engineering methodology for calculating buildings using thin-gauge structural sections is required. The present paper describes a method for a full-scale testing of a shell building fragment and provides the results of forces and deformations calculated using the experimental model. In addition, an approach to modeling and dimensioning of finite elements for the profiles under consideration is described. The comparative analysis of numerical data and experimental results is performed. The results of the study can be used both for developing recommendations and engineering methods for calculating similar shell buildings and for determining the actual operational scheme for units and elements of the considered structure.