Abstract

The use of space truss steel domes has been a popular choice for covering large span areas with or without internal columns. High structural stiffness and architectural aesthetics are the main reasons for the wide application of this space truss form. Using formex algebra, the geometry of ribbed and Schwedler single layer space truss domes for various rise-to-span ratios (with a constant span) are modeled. Wind pressure, according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) code and the European Convention for Constructional Steelwork (ECCS) are applied to the surfaces of the models. To investigate the effect of wind load when compared with other loads, the uniform dead load applied on models and the results of the analyses in the fields of the node displacement, support reaction, overturning moment and sliding of foundation were compared with each other.

Key words: Schwedler domes, single layer space truss dome, formex algebra, ribbed domes, wind pressure.