Instability Behaviour of Single Layer Reticulated Shells

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to draw the attention of the designers (often fascinated by the beauty of static analysis) to the essential factors influencing the behaviour of single-layer reticulated shells. These can be classified into geometrical factors (shell geometry and mesh density) and behaviour factors (geometrical and material nonlinearities, forms of instability, imperfections, stiffness of joints, load distribution). The analysis and design conceptions (equilibrium bifurcation or limitation, continuum or discrete structure) are discussed in the final part of the paper. It was tried to present all aspects in the simplest possible form, emphasizing the essence of the investigated phenomena.