A new method to fabricate a single-layer reticulated shell model and its shaking table test. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ming, Zhang; Rui, Kang; Guangchun, Zhou; Xudong, Zhi; Parke, Gerard
• Is Part Of: Journal of building engineering. Volume 32(2021)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Shell model fabrication method -- Shaking table test -- Dynamic performance -- Load carrying capacity; Building -- Periodicals; 690.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101755
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-7102

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper a novel method is proposed to fabricate small single-layer shell models with a high similarity between the models and prototype structures, particularly in their topological configuration. The reasons are because the new shell model contains more hoops, a higher number of nodes and members as well as longer effective member lengths compared to the models fabricated by the existing method. In addition, the cost including material and labour costs are very low when conducting shaking table tests based on the new shell model, these being less than 1/20 of the costs associated with testing a shell model fabricated by the existing method. Therefore, these new models can then be used to conduct a series of shaking table experiments with limited funds to investigate systematically their dynamic behavior and failure mechanisms. Based on the new method, a small single-layer shell model was fabricated and a shaking table test was conducted to study its dynamic behavior as well as its collapse mechanism. In the experiment the dynamic performance of the shell model and its dynamic instability were observed, and a conclusion can be drawn from the shaking table test which is that the single-layer reticulated dome exhibited exceptional seismic load carrying capacity. Highlights: We develop a new method, which can be used to make a number of small scale and high-similarity single-layer shell models. A shaking table test is conducted to study the dynamic behavior of the shell model and as well as its collapse mechanism. The shell was basically in elastic state, the bending deformations for most tubes were more severe during instability. The shell has an excellent load carrying capacity by investigating the relationships between dynamic strains and PGA.