On the investigation of providing space truss roofs with ductility until failure under monotonically increasing vertical loads

• Main Authors: Haluk Emre Alçiçek, Cüneyt Vatansever
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pamukkale University 2020-06-01
• Series: Pamukkale University Journal of Engineering Sciences
• Subjects: uzay kafes çatı sistemleri mero düğüm noktası; başlangıç kusuru; yük yığılması; space truss roof; mero-connection; initial imperfection; load accumulation
• Online Access: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/pajes/issue/54792/748915

The aim of this paper is to investigate the nonlinear behavior of space truss roofs subject to different load accumulation forms considering the effect of initial imperfection and slenderness ratio of the truss members. For this, a typical space truss roof using MERO-connection type with flat double-layer was selected as a sample. 3D model of the roof was developed and analyzed by using OpenSEES. Nonlinear behavior of each typical bar of the space truss roof, which, was mainly composed of particular sub-elements such as a tubular element, bolts, sleeves and spheres was represented by a single truss bar. Axial load-displacement relationship of each single truss bar was obtained from nonlinear analysis performed under reversal cyclic loading. Besides, three different types of load distribution that simulates accumulation of rainwater or drifted snow were taken into account as an external load acting on upper layer of the roof system. Analyses results showed that load carrying capacity of the space truss roofs was susceptible to the form of accumulation and reduces abnormally when the accumulation, in particular, occurred locally. Furthermore, failure mode of the system designed with optimal solution was dominated by buckled truss bars and brittle failure occurred. Also initial imperfection had a negative effect on the members in compression.