On the Collapse Resistance of the Levy Type and the Loop-Free Suspen-Dome Structures After Accidental Failure of Cables

Current Levy type suspen-domes use loop cables which are key elements and carry large tensions. The loop-free suspen-dome was proposed for improving the collapse resistance and reducing cable tensions. However, the collapse resistance of the loop-free suspen-dome after accidental failure of cables has not been verified and its key element is not clear. In this paper, analysis on the collapse resistance of both the Levy type suspen-dome and the loop-free suspen-dome after accidental failure of cables is performed based on the AP method by considering dynamic effect and non-linearity. The displacements and residual bearing capacity of 34 cable-rupture schemes are discussed, the effect on the cable tension and failure mode are also analyzed. It turns out that collapse resistance of the loop-free suspen-dome is better than the Levy type suspen-dome. The failure of cables does not influence the tension of remaining cables obviously so that the loop-free cable-strut system has sufficient stiffness and provides support and restraint for the reticulated shell. The most important cable in the loop-free suspen-dome is located in the outermost layer of the cable-strut system. It is also found that whether progressive collapse of the suspen-dome occurs after accidental failure of cables depends on both the bearing capacity of the reticulated shell and the residual contribution of the cable-strut system.