The stability and stressed skin effect analyses of an 80 m diameter single-layer latticed dome with bolt-ball joints

Recent researches have demonstrated that bolt-ball joints have a certain amount of flexural stiffness, so they should be classified as semi-rigid joints and it is possible to apply them on single-layer latticed domes. In order to study the stability and stressed skin effect of the latticed domes with bolt-ball joints, a series of nonlinear full-produce analyses were conducted on the basis of the design of an 80 m diameter single-layer latticed dome with bolt-ball joints, which is the main structure of the Shenbei New District citizen fitness center in Shenyang, China. Above all, the moment-rotation relations for bolt-ball joints, which were established based on numerical results, were introduced into the latticed dome numerical model. Then, the nonlinear stability analyses for the latticed dome in different construction stages were carried out by the above-mentioned numerical model under vertical loads and horizontal wind loads. The mechanical behaviors discussed in this investigation including the stability and the ultimate bearing capacity of the latticed dome in different construction stages, and the influence of the stressed skin effect on the stability of the latticed dome with decorated plates. The result shows that: after being properly designed, the latticed dome with bolt-ball joints can exhibit a good mechanical performance, and this successful application of bolt-ball joints on the Shenbei New District citizen fitness center can set an example project for the design of single-layer latticed domes with semi-rigid joints; under vertical loads, it is more dangerous for the 75% complete latticed dome, while the dangerous construction stage for horizontal wind loads is the 50% completed latticed dome; the stressed skin effect can increase the stability of latticed domes.