Numerical Analysis and Experimental Research on the Element-Length Error Sensitivity of the Cable-Bar Tensile Structure

Abstract

According to the element-length errors inevitably existing in the real cable-bar tensile structures, numerical analysis on the element-length error sensitivity was firstly carried out with the help of ANSYS software, where the element length change was simulated by imposing the temperature affection. Then a cable-bar tensile structure model with the diameter of 5.0m was designed and fabricated. The element-length errors were simulated by adjusting the element length and each member in one unit was elongated 3mm respectively to explore the error sensitivity of each kind of element. The numerical analysis and experimental results indicated that different element has different error sensitivity. The error sensitivity of the hoop cables was the most sensitive, the ridge cables and diagonal cables were lower and the struts were the lowest. The experimental results performed almost consistent with the analytical results, which indicated that the proposed error sensitivity analysis method is accurate and the design of the model is effective.