FORM EVALUATION OF FREE-FORM SHELLS BY USING BENDING STRAIN ENERGY RATIO

摘要

Recently, owing to the development of structural materials and structural analysis technology, various large span structures with complex forms have been built. A structure with a structurally irrational shape might be one of them. Therefore, this study aims to create an index that can evaluate the mechanical performance of the shell shape at an early design stage. This study also proposes the ratio of the bending strain energy to the strain energy caused by external forces, which is called the bending strain energy ratio, as the index. The bending strain energy ratios are calculated for various shells with classic shapes, such as a sphere or cylinder, and complex free shapes. The relations between the index and the maximum responses and the shape characteristics are examined in detail. Furthermore, the index applicability is discussed.