Asymmetrically Loaded Gridshells: A Parametric Study on Bracing Methods and Case Study for Use in Disaster Relief

Abstract

From 1970 to 2000, 68 percent of United States naval operations were categorized as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR). These relief efforts identified a need for deployable, lightweight structures, capable of sheltering a large area. Large-span shelters are necessary in HA/DR because they provide space for community gathering, emergency services, educational facilities, and worship. Field work in Athens, Greece and input from external collaborators confirmed that this need is not only physical, but is both culturally and emotionally significant. Gridshells are a potential solution to this need because of their portability, sustainability, and efficiency. Formed from flat, linear members bent on-site into a curved surface, gridshells are relatively large structures that can be built without the use of heavy machinery. To broaden the use of gridshells, this paper quantifies the effect of asymmetric loading and bracing on their performance, as both are likely occurrences in HA/DR. The design requirements and constraints for the gridshell were established in Athens, Greece and with international building codes. The structural analysis included a parametric study that assessed the effect of the grid density, bracing patterns, and load cases (gravity, asymmetric, and point loads) on the failure load. These results, along with the design constraints, governed the design of the HA/DR gridshell. The results generated from this analysis will contribute to the overall design space of gridshells, specifically regarding the effects of bracing and the impact of asymmetric loads. This knowledge will broaden the design space by illustrating relationships between physical parameters and structural performance. The constructability was evaluated with small-scale models and a half-scale prototype.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 20, 2019
Accession Number
AD1073956

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People

  • Thomas B. Imhoff

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  • United States Naval Academy

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