A computational study of the static and dynamic response of a hybrid barrel vault structure

The use of cables as structural members has become very popular in spatial structures. The hybrid barrel vault is an attractive structural form in the design and construction of long-span transparent glass roof structures. These hybrid structures are very slender and lightweight, and hence sequential consideration in the structural behavior is needed. The mechanical characteristic, static and dynamic behaviors of the hybrid barrel vault are investigated in this paper. The effects of the structural parameters, such as rise-to-span ratios, cross-section areas of steel beams, areas and pre-stresses of cables, on the structural behavior have been studied in detail. Results show that cables do increase the structural stiffness of the hybrid barrel vault. The hybrid barrel vault with a good translucence is more efficient in load resistance than the general single-layer reticulated shell structure. Rise-to-span ratio is found to be an important factor influencing the structural behavior. The nodal displacement initially decreases with the increase of the height-to-span ratio and then increases afterwards. Given a specific height-to-span ratio, the increase of the beam section greatly reduces the nodal displacement and member forces and increases the natural frequency. It can also be found that it is not economical to improve the structural behavior by increasing the areas and pre-stresses of cables.