Coupling Effect of Nodal Deviation and Member Imperfection on Load-Carrying Capacity of Single-Layer Reticulated Shell

Single-layer reticulated shell is sensitive to imperfections. To clarify the effect of member imperfection, nodal deviation and their couplings on load-carrying capacity of reticulated shell, the equivalent load method (ELM) is developed in the present study to establish single-layer reticulated shell with random member imperfection, and its realization procedures in FEM package are well-elaborated. The main conclusions are summarized as follows: the proposed ELM is of high efficiency to form member imperfection in space structures. For reticulated shell only with member imperfection, the limit load is more or less influenced by member imperfection. With the increase of amplitude of member bow imperfection, limit load gradually decreases. Load-carrying capacity of reticulated shell with larger amplitude of bowed member is more sensitive to bending direction of bowed member than the one with smaller amplitude. Load-carrying capacity of the reticulated shell considered is extremely sensitive to nodal deviation. For reticulated shell with nodal deviation and member imperfection, the effect of member imperfection on load-carrying capacity is closely related to the magnitude of nodal deviation. Load-carrying capacity of shell with smaller nodal deviation is obviously affected by member imperfection, while not sensitive to member imperfection for reticulated shell with larger one. Member imperfection can be neglected when nodal deviation is large enough. Load-carrying capacity of reticulated shell is also influenced by bending angle of bowed member. On the whole, load-carrying capacity of reticulated shell with larger amplitude of member imperfection is more sensitive to bending direction than the reticulated shell with smaller one.