A finite element modeling and geometrically nonlinear static analysis of the top portion of a
glued-laminated timber dome is presented. The modeling assumptions and analysis procedures are
applied to a dome model whose geometry is based on an existing glulam timber dome of 133 ft.
span and 18 ft. rise above the tension ring. This dome consists of triangulated network of curved
southern pine glulam members connected by steel hubs. The dome is covered with a tongue-and·
groove wood decking. The role of decking towards the stability of the overall structure is studied.
The lateral resistance of the nail fasteners connecting the beams and the purlins to the decking is
considered . The stabilizing effect of the decking is shown to be mathematically analogous to that
acting on the beams along the line of the deck attachment. The axial pull, in this study is modeled by truss members.
Three distinct analyses are performed for rigid and flexible joints: a linear analysis to check design
adequacy of the members, a linearized eigenvalue buckling prediction analysis to estimate the
buckling load, and finally an incremental, iterative, geometrically nonlinear analysis to trace the
complete response of the structure up to failure. Analyses are done for the structure with and
without the decking on top of the beams and purlins to assess the role of decking on the overall
stability of the structure. It is shown that decking plays a considerable role in the load-carrying
behavior of the whole structure. A discussion of the results is presented and recommendations for
future extensions are included. / Master of Engineering
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/40690 |
| Date | 20 January 2010 |
| Creators | Mohammad, Haris |
| Contributors | Civil Engineering, Holzer, Siegfried M., Loferski, Joseph R., Garst, D. A. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Master's project |
| Format | BTD, application/pdf |
| Relation | LD5655.V851_1990.M633.pdf |
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