Elastic Post-Buckling Analysis of Single-Layer Domes with Circular Plated Connections

Single layered domes are susceptible to large deflections and their post-buckling behavior is influenced by the connection system used. Numerous investigations have been carried out on the stiffness characteristics and of hollow spherical joints and their effect on the post-buckling behaviour of domes. However, research on the behavior of circular plated joints and their effect on the dome post-buckling are limited. Factors such as the combination of forces transferred to the joint, thickness of the circular joint plates and location of the joint in the dome have been found to influence the behaviour of the joint and the deformation of the connections reduce the limit point of the dome. Therefore, this study highlights the influence of the deformability of the circular plated joints on the elastic post-buckling behaviour of single layer domes. The deformation of the circular plated joints are investigated by geometric nonlinear finite element analysis in ABAQUS. It is found that the deformations increase with increase in ratio of minor to major force and the variation in stiffness of the plates along these directions are greater for thicker plates. Provision of shear connector i.e., a plate element between the webs of members along the direction of principal tension is effective in limiting the connection deformations. The deformability of the joints under various loading conditions are presented based on the results of the numerical investigations. The effect of the circular plate deformations on the stability of the dome are analysed using the corotated-Updated Lagrangian formulation where, the stiffnesses of the circular plates obtained from the ABAQUS analysis are included as linear springs in series with the members of the dome. Reduction in the limit point of the domes is observed, particularly with thinner circular plates.