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Highlights • Based on four static loading experiments, a finite element simulation method of reticulated shell with roofing system is established; roofing system improve buckling load and plastic development, purlin is the main component in roofing system bearing static load together with the reticulated shell, the roofing panels play a relatively minor role. • The effect of roofing system tends to decrease when the span of reticulated shell increases. • The roofing system has a more significantly effect on the shell with larger initial geometric imperfections. Abstract The static stability of a single-layer reticulated shell has been systematically studied, but nearly all scholars have neglected the effect of the roofing system, and the simplified analytical method may lead to deviations between finite element analysis and the actual situation. In this paper, four full-scale reticulated shell substructure models with a roofing system were experimentally investigated to verify the effect of the roofing system. The finite element analysis (FEA) were established based on the experimental models, the connections between the purlin and purlin hanger were modelled as semi-rigid joints, the profiled sheets were modelled as equivalent orthotropic flat panels, and a weakened area was established to model the connection between the purlin and the roof panel. A series of finite element analysis models (FEM) of full-scale reticulated shells with roofing systems were established, and the effect of the roofing system on the full-scale reticulated shells' static stability was analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most existing studies on single-layer spatial structures with semi-rigid joints were focused on spherical domes. The present paper analyzed the squared plan-form single-layer structures, examining the influence of joint-rigidity on the mechanical performances of the structures. An experiment has been conducted on a 5×6 m single-layer cylindrical reticulated shell with semi-rigid bolt-ball joints. The mechanical performance of the latticed shell is investigated in detail. Finite element analysis (FEA) model of the latticed shell is established taking material and geometric nonlinearities into account. The results show that the behavior determined using the FEA models correlates well with the experimentally observed behavior for the single-layer structures with semi-rigid joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Socket joint systems are typical semi-rigid joints used in space structures. This paper presents numerical analyses of semi-rigid joint systems in which the bolts are pretensioned. Eleven numerical models of socket joints are studied: three of them are subjected to bending and the others are subjected to proportional bending and axial compression. Moment–rotation relationships of the joints are obtained using models in which the material and geometric nonlinearity are taken into account. The load-carrying mechanism of socket joint system is investigated in detail through the numerical analysis. Through comparison of the finite element analysis (FEA) and corresponding test measurements, it is shown that the proposed FEA models can be used effectively to describe the mechanical performance of the semi-rigid joints in spatial structures, including the initial bending stiffness, ultimate bending moment, deformation and the failure mode. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new classification system for the joints in lattice shells is proposed. The stiffness and moment capacity of the joints together with the overall structural behavior of the lattice shells are considered in order to establish the classification system. According to this new system, joints in lattice shells can be classified into unique categories: rigid, semi-rigid or pinned. The rigid joints have both high bending stiffness and moment capacity; the semi-rigid joints have both moderate bending stiffness and moment capacity, and the pinned joints have either low bending stiffness or low moment capacity. Determination coefficients α and β are defined, based on the stiffness and moment capacity of the joints, and these are used to establish clear boundaries between the different categories. Some numerical examples are included to demonstrate the validity of the classification system. With the help of the classification system, an efficient process for practical engineering design is proposed, which can help designers choose the appropriate analysis method for lattice shells with different joints. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]