Using Minimum Actuators to Control Shape and Stress of a Double Layer Spherical Model Under Gravity and Lateral Loadings

Spherical domes are picturesque structures built in developed countries to attract tourists. Due to horizontal and vertical overloading, the structures’ attractive shapes may be disturbed, and some members' stress may exceed the elastic level. In this paper, the shape and stress of a deformed double-layer spherical numerical model due to simultaneous lateral and vertical loadings are controlled, meanwhile, the number of actuators to alter the length of active members is minimized. The nodal displacements of the outer shape of the numerical model of the double-layer spherical structure are nullified. In addition, the stress of the members of the structure was monitored to stay within the elastic level. Moreover, the number of used actuators was minimized. These objectives are done by subjecting controlling formulations to a function that finds the minimum of constrained nonlinear multivariable which is called fmincon. The defined function in MATLAB uses one of the optimization algorithms (sequential quadratic programming, interior point, trust-region reflective, and active set). The algorithms search for active members that have a significant influence in controlling the targeted joints and members. Furthermore, the algorithms exclude the inactive actuators in several loops. The results obtained from MATLAB program are validated by SAP2000 software.