The Study on Performance of Single-Layer Cylinder Shells with Semi-Rigid Bolt-Ball Joints

Abstract

A bolt-ball is a commonly joint form in latticed shells. It’s a typical semi-rigid joint, which can bear certain amount of bending moment. The performance of triangle mesh single-layer cylinder shells with bolt-ball joints in different support conditions has been analyzed detailed using the finite element (FE) software ANSYS based on several different parameters including bending stiffness, torsional stiffness, shell span, ratio of rise to span, ratio of length to width and load distribution in this paper, and key influence parameters to the load carrying capacity of cylinder shells with semi-rigid joints in different support conditions are obtained. Finally, based on the results obtained by FE calculation, a new formula is proposed for getting ultimate load of single cylinder shells with semi-rigid joints in four sides support, some references are provided for shell design.