Theoretical Analysis And Experimental Research Of New Cable-Bar Joint In Suspen-Dome Structure

Cable prestress loss at the cable-bar joint of the suspen-dome structure is a big problem in construction, in order to solve which, a new designed cable-bar joint is presented in this paper along with relative research. First, a study of advantages and disadvantages of cable-bar joints in the built-up suspen-dome structures is carried out, then, evaluating the friction effect on the cable force distribution and integral performance of the structure through a series of research and model experiment. Based on which, a new designed cable-bar joint including a sliding bearing is put forward, which essentially changes the mechanical characteristics to decrease the cable prestress loss. During the design process, we employ the elastoplastic theory and ANSYS 10.0 (a large-scale finite element analysis software) to analyze the stress status and bearing capacity of the joint under load. Also, we get the stress status and bearing capacity of the inner components based on the nonlinear finite element contact analysis. Other than theoretical analysis, a reduced scale model experiment is done to get the stress status and cable prestress loss value. Result shows that both of the values match each other well, which also proves the validity of the theoretical result. According to the experiment result, cable prestress loss can be restricted within 3% while the joint is at good condition, neither strength failure nor large deflection, under experimental ultimate load. If excessed stretching is adopted, cable prestress loss can be reduced to below 1% to avoid the friction effect ultimately. To sum up, the new joint has a high value of practical application with its reasonable structure and good performance.