• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.555-581
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• 2015

Triangular pyramid and Quadrangular pyramid elements for partial double-layer spherical reticulated shells of pyramidal system are investigated in the present study. Macro programs for six typical partial double-layer spherical reticulated shells of pyramidal system are compiled by using the ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL). Internal force analysis of six spherical reticulated shells is carried out. Distribution regularity of the stress and displacement are studied. A shape optimization program is proposed by adopting the sequence two-stage algorithm (RDQA) in FORTRAN environment based on the characteristics of partial double-layer spherical reticulated shells of pyramidal system and the ideas of discrete variable optimization design. Shape optimization is achieved by considering the objective function of the minimum total steel consumption, global and locality constraints. The shape optimization of six spherical reticulated shells is calculated with the span of 30m~120m and rise to span ratio of 1/7~1/3. The variations of the total steel consumption along with the span and rise to span ratio are discussed with contrast to the results of shape optimization. The optimal combination of main design parameters for six spherical reticulated shells is investigated, i.e., the number of the optimal grids. The results show that: (1) The Kiewitt and Geodesic partial double-layer spherical reticulated shells of triangular pyramidal system should be preferentially adopted in large and medium-span structures. The range of rise to span ratio is from 1/6 to 1/5. (2) The Ribbed and Schwedler partial double-layer spherical reticulated shells of quadrangular pyramidal system should be preferentially adopted in small-span structures. The rise to span ratio should be 1/4. (3) Grids of the six spherical reticulated shells can be optimized after shape optimization and the total steel consumption is optimized to be the least.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.217-247
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• 2016

Five extended cylindrical reticulated shells are proposed by changing distribution rule of diagonal rods based on three fundamental types. Modeling programs for fundamental types and extended types of cylindrical reticulated shell are compiled by using the ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL). On this basis, conditional formulas are derived when the grid shape of cylindrical reticulated shells is equilateral triangle. Internal force analysis of cylindrical reticulated shells is carried out. The variation and distribution regularities of maximum displacement and stress are studied. A shape optimization program is proposed by adopting the sequence two-stage algorithm (RDQA) in FORTRAN environment based on the characteristics of cylindrical reticulated shells and the ideas of discrete variable optimization design. Shape optimization is achieved by considering the objective function of the minimum total steel consumption, global and locality constraints. The shape optimization for three fundamental types and five extended types is calculated with the span of 30 m~80 m and rise-span ratio of 1/7~1/3. The variations of the total steel consumption along with the span and rise-span ratio are analyzed with contrast to the results of shape optimization. The optimal combination of main design parameters for five extended cylindrical reticulated shells is investigated. The total steel consumption affected by distribution rule of diagonal rods is discussed. The results show that: (1) Parametric modeling method is simple, efficient and practical, which can quickly generate different types of cylindrical reticulated shells. (2) The mechanical properties of five extended cylindrical reticulated shells are better than their fundamental types. (3) The total steel consumption of cylindrical reticulated shells is optimized to be the least when rise-span ratio is 1/6. (4) The extended type of three-way grid cylindrical reticulated shell should be preferentially adopted in practical engineering. (5) The grid shape of reticulated shells should be designed to equilateral triangle as much as possible because of its reasonable stress and the lowest total steel consumption.