The effect of edge valency on the load resistance of single-layer reticulated cylindrical shells

Abstract

The arrangement of members plays a crucial role in determining the resistance of reticulated cylindrical shells, in addition to rise-to-span ratio, cross-section of the members, rigidity of the joints, and support conditions. Although studies on the comparison of shell structures with different configurations were available, the effect of the member arrangement on the performance of reticulated shell structures based on valency of elements was never investigated before. This paper investigates the effect of edge valency on the load resistance of shell structures by studying the behaviour of four cylindrical shell configurations with different edge valencies of vertices and faces. The limit load of the shell structures—with different span-to-rise ratios, length-to-span ratios, support conditions, load patterns, and different magnitudes of initial geometric imperfection—was calculated based on geometrical and material non-linear analyses. The results show that the increase in the edge valency of the vertices increases the overall resistance of single-layer reticulated cylindrical shells with all edges supported. In addition to edge valency, member orientation plays a prominent role in determining the overall resistance of single-layer reticulated shell structures with longitudinal edges supported. The findings on edge valency will help the designer to rearrange the members within a structure without compromising the overall resistance, resulting in an economical design.