Modelling Geometric Imperfections of Spatial Latticed Structures Considering Correlations of Node Imperfections

Abstract

The buckling loads of shell structures and shell-like space frames are very sensitive to initial geometric imperfections. Previous studies focused on estimating the lower bound of the load-carrying capacity of reticulated shells. This paper proposes a new method for modelling structural geometrical imperfections based on random field theory. The method can consider the correlation of imperfections of nodes. The correlation of imperfections relies on the number and length of the connecting members between the two nodes and decreases with the increase of members by an exponential correlation model. The influence of geometric imperfections on structural stability is studied using a probabilistic method by modelling structural geometrical imperfections with the proposed method.