A pulley-based system for the simulation of distributed loading on shell roof structures

This paper has presented a new pulley-based loading system for tests on shell structures to simulate distributed loading. The advantages and disadvantages of existing loading systems were first reviewed, leading to the identification of difficulties with their use in the buckling tests on a new type of shell roof structures. A pulley-based loading system which overcomes these difficulties was then presented. Results from calibration tests on the new system and the application of this system in a shell roof buckling test demonstrated that the new system provides a safe, convenient, reliable and cost-effective solution for the generation of distributed loading on shell structures. It should be noted that application of the proposed loading system is not limited to shell structures or the simulation of distributed loading: it is an effective method for exploitation in any situation where the simultaneous imposition of a large number of point loads is required.