Sensitivity analysis of Kiewitt-Lamella reticulated domes due to member loss

Abstract

In this paper, the sensitivity analysis of Kiewitt-Lamella (K-L) reticulated domes with different parameters is carried out. The sensitivity of the dome due to gradual and sudden member loss is analyzed in both static and dynamic aspects, which will clarify the distribution rule of the member sensitivity and provide a reference for future study on the K-L reticulated dome. The results show that the member sensitivity of the K-L reticulated dome with different design parameters has similar regularities. For the members in the same ring, the sensitivity of the latitudinal members is larger than that of the diagonal members. For the members in different rings, the sensitivity of the inner ring members is larger than that of the outer ring members. In addition, the static analysis shows that the latitudinal members closer to the radial members are more sensitive than those apart from the radial members, and the diagonal members paralleling to the radial members are more sensitive than the unparallel ones. The dynamic analysis shows that the K-L reticulated dome will experience a local internal force redistribution after a member's sudden loss and finally reach a stable equilibrium state on the new load transfer path without overall progressive collapse. According to the research results, a better scheme for strengthening the structure is proposed: increasing the cross-section of sensitive members is more effective in improving the structural stability than important components.