Experimental investigation of reciprocally supported element (RSE) lattice honeycomb domes structural behaviour

•This study compares structural modelling predicted behaviour with that monitored.•A reciprocally supported element (RSE) lattice honeycomb dome was investigated.•Eight analysis models with varying loading and supports conditions were considered.•The dome was constructed from steel tube sections using single bolt connections.•This study has highlighted areas that require further research. The honeycomb configuration of the many Diamatic dome patterns available is particularly convenient for reciprocally supported element (RSE) transformation. This is due to there being only three lattice bar elements intersecting at any apex, irrespective of the number of the bar elements used to form the crown polygon. RSE transformation effort therefore is both reduced and simplified compared to some RSE forms. To inform the understanding of the structural behaviour of honeycomb RSE lattice domes, a study comparing structural modelling predicted behaviour with monitored behaviour in the laboratory was carried out. This investigation focused on the structural behaviour of a RSE lattice honeycomb dome structure under applied static loading. The first part of the study included configuration processing, structural modelling and analysis. The second part involved manufacture, construction and monitored behaviour of the dome in the laboratory. The creation of the selected RSE honeycomb lattice structure together with the structural modelling and experimental outputs are presented and discussed. Predicted displacements and stresses are compared under varying applied loading, boundary support conditions and connection stiffnesses. The locations of the onset of local yielding is considered and discussed. The applied loading did not exceed the tube yield stress according to the von Mises ductile material failure criterion indicating that the dome behaviour observed was elastic.