Optimization and Analysis on Cable Net Structure Supporting the Reflector of the Large Radio Telescope FAST

Abstract

Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) is designed to be supported by geodesic form cable-net structure which is suspended from the ring beam. Based on the initial design, the present work has performed a further optimization to reduce the types and quantity of the connections between the cable-net and the ring beam. Furthermore, the finite element model has been established to study the influence of the deadweight of the reflector element on the force distribution of the cable-net structure, and the sensitivity of angle deviation of down tied cable to the control accuracy of cable net deformation has also been discussed.