Random Imperfection Method for Stability Analysis of a Suspended Dome

摘要

The traditional eigenvalue buckling mode method used for the stability analysis of suspended domes has been deemed unsafe and unreasonable. A random imperfection method is proposed in this paper that is suitable for the stability analysis of suspended domes. Using this method, the impact of initial imperfections, such as joint position deviation, eccentricity of members, variation in cable pretension and elastic modulus of materials, on the stability of nonlinear geometries as well as the stability of both nonlinear geometries and materials (i.e., ultimate bearing capacity) are studied. The analysis results using this method are compared to those obtained from the traditional eigenvalue buckling mode method. This study indicates that the random imperfection method can more reasonably demonstrate the impact of initial imperfections on the stability of suspended domes. Additionally, the shape and size of the initial imperfections applied by the random imperfection method are more reasonable, and the results are safer. The random imperfection method is successfully used in the stability analysis of a large span suspended dome, and the results of this method are nearly equivalent to that of the model test, which verifies the method.