Corrugated shells: An algorithm for generating double-curvature geometric surfaces for structural analysis. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lai, M.; Eugster, S.R.; Reccia, E.; Spagnuolo, M.; Cazzani, A.
• Is Part Of: Thin-walled structures. Volume 173(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Corrugated shells -- Shallow shells -- Domes -- Palasport Flaminio -- Pier Luigi Nervi; Thin-walled structures -- Periodicals; 690.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tws.2022.109019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-8231

Abstract

Abstract: Analysis of corrugated shell structures is an interesting problem in Structural Mechanics, which has many practical applications in Civil Engineering and Architecture. Thanks to corrugation, these structures have a remarkable feature: the wavy (undulated) shape in their edge provides significant enhancements in their structural behaviour, increasing the bending stiffness at the edge and allowing for a non-negligible reduction of its thickness. Moreover, looking at the non-linear behaviour, domes corrugation plays a relevant role in instability phenomena, such as the influence of imperfections and increasing resistance to snap-through. A problem in the study of such kind of shells is the definition of mathematical and geometrical model and the construction of a suitable mesh to perform FE analyses. The aim of this paper is to find an automated way to generate a double-curvature geometric surface that can be used both in static and in non-linear stability analyses of such corrugated shell structures. A method to generate a NURBS surface, suitable for a parametric FE analysis from a geometrical model expressed in a parametric form, is proposed and applied to a shell inspired by the well-known dome designed by Pier Luigi Nervi in 1959 for the roof of the Palasport Flaminio in Rome. Highlights: Short introduction on the use of corrugation to increase the structure stiffness. Geometry of corrugated-edge spherical shells, whose wavy-perturbation is controlled by suitable equations and parameters. Generation of an accurate mesh through a geometric modeller. A simple example for a pressure load is carried out to highlight the structural enhancement due to the corrugated shape.