Global interactive-mode imperfection generation for K6 single-layer latticed shell using generative adversarial networks

Abstract

The worst imperfection shape of K6 single-layer latticed shells corresponding to the lowest nonlinear load-carrying capacity is difficult to be obtained in design owing to significant multi-modal interaction. The global interactive buckling of the K6 single-layer latticed shell is investigated numerically, and the intelligent model for generating its worst global interactive-mode imperfection is developed via generative adversarial networks (GAN). For the cases vulnerable to interactive buckling, the load-carrying capacity is found to be reduced significantly up to 35% with two-mode interaction considered, and unstable behaviour, such as the dominant mode changing due to the deformation evolution of different modal components, is observed at the post-buckling stage. Moreover, the GAN model for generating the worst imperfection shape and the artificial neural network for evaluating the corresponding ultimate load are developed based on the data obtained from numerical analysis. The time of training model to converge is less than 30 min, and the generating process using the trained model only takes a few seconds. It is demonstrated that for the K6 single-layer latticed shells, the developed models can give the worst imperfection and the corresponding ultimate load accurately and efficiently with interactive buckling considered well. This work can be used to develop the programming module for the intelligent design of latticed shells in future.