PERFORMANCE OF CABLE ROOF SYSTEMS WITH RIGID AND FLEXIBLE BOUNDARIES

Abstract

Since 1950, there has been a growing interest to use covered areaof long spans/using tension structures. Several no. of sport halls, exhibition halls and aircraft hangers are being covered with cable suspended roofs. With the increase in the demand of suspended cableroof systems, theoretical research work in the field of analysis of them has also increased. Though the analysis of a cable structure is quite complex, advent of electronic digital computers enable to make detailed study of them. In the present work performance of various truss forms under symmetrical and unsymmetrical loading condi-tions have been studied with respect to different design parameters, such as sag to span ratio, cable sizes and support flexibiliO. Effect of the flexibility of the support has been studied in detail for all truss forms and comparison made. Maximum deflection, maximum change in member force and (maximum deflection x weight) functions are taken as parameters to compare the performance. Effect of the flexibility of the support on the performance of cable nets has also been studied. Cable trusses and nets have been analysed as a discrete system by means of stiffness method, using an already available computer programme after necessary modifications.