Innovative composite structural insulated panels (CSIPs) folded shell structures for large-span roofs

Abstract

Composite structural insulated panels (CSIPs) have the potential to construct lighter large-span roof structures due to high strength-to-weight ratio. However, the drawback of large deflection severely limits their applications. Two effective methods improving the stiffness of CSIPs were investigated in this paper at first. One is the method of folding, which improves the moment of inertia of cross-section areas using the principle of folded panels. The other is the method of curving, which transforms structural bending moments into axial forces using the principle of arches. Then an innovative CSIPs folded shell structure was proposed by combining the advantages of above two methods together. The mechanical behaviors of the CSIPs folded shell structure were studied comparing with CSIPs folded panels and CSIPs thin shells. The static analysis results showed the maximum vertical displacement of the CSIPs folded shell structure under self-weight was 11.054 mm, which was much less than that of CSIPs folded panel (129.17 mm) and that of CSIPs thin shell (89.78 mm). The results of geometrical nonlinear analysis demonstrated that the CSIPs folded shell structure has 5 times larger nonlinear buckling load capacity than the CSIPs thin shell. CSIPs folded shell structures have excellent structural configurations and extensive application prospects in large-span roof structures.