Investigation of the static and dynamic behavior of a deployable hybrid grid shell

The deployable hybrid grid shell, which can be deformed elastically by bending until the desired form is obtained, 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. Therefore, the structural behavior of the hybrid grid shell needs to be well understood. The mechanical characteristic, static and dynamic behaviors of the grid shell have been investigated in this paper. The effect of the structural parameters, such as rise-to-span ratios, cross-sections of steel beams, areas and pre-stress of cables, on the structural behavior has been studied in detail. Results show that the hybrid grid shell with a good translucence is more efficient than the general single-layer reticulated shell structure. The vertical structural stiffness initially increases with the increase of the rise-to-span ratio and then decreases afterwards. There exists an optimum rise-to-span ratio resulting in an optimum stiffness for the specified span. The optimum value of the ratio is found between 0.15 and 0.20 from the simulation study presented in this paper. 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. However, it can be found that increasing the areas and pre-stress of cables is not an economical way to improve the structural behavior.