Collapse behaviour of double layer grid structures in steel

Flat double layer grid (DLG) structures are efficient modular, structural systems which span in two or more directions and consequently develop their resistance in three dimensions. Although such structures offer many structural, constructional and aesthetic advantages over alternative planar structures, for use in unobstructed roofing applications, they have been observed to have a propensity for sudden collapse behaviour, as witnessed in the collapse of the Hartford Coliseum roof structure in 1978. Previous study of DLG behaviour has been undertaken through experimental and numerical analysis; these studies have confirmed the sudden collapse behaviour and sensitivity of such structures to geometric imperfections for selected cases but have not developed the full spectrum of DLG behaviour. A parameter study was therefore undertaken to identify desirable DLG pre-critical yielding behaviour and post-critical increases in grid structural resistance. The parameter study also served to identify and characterize grid plastic, failure and collapse behaviour for structures representative of those employed in practice; the Structural Eurocodes were used for this purpose.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Civil Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Adams, Jonathan

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Zingoni, Alphose

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12341

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/12341