Dynamic and equivalent-static wind-resistant analysis for single-layer, reticulated shells based on wind tunnel tests

At present, usually Equivalent static methods based on the quasi-steady assumption are used in wind-resistant design for single-layer reticulated shells. However, the estimated Equivalent static wind loading distribution may not reflect the actual effects of fluctuating wind loading on the stability of shells. In this paper, wind pressure distribution on a spherical shell model was measured simultaneously in wind tunnel. A framework for nonlinear dynamic time-history analysis for wind-induced vibration of single-layer reticulated shells was introduced. Based on the measured pressure data, nonlinear time-history analysis of single-layer reticulated shells was conducted. Then, three Equivalent static wind loading estimation methods, including a new method presented by the authors, were discussed. With comparative analyses, it was shown that the new method can improve the efficiency of the effective static loading distribution estimation method, as well as to give a conservative estimation of the effects of wind loadings on single-layer reticulated shells, especially in stability analysis.