Numerical analysis of an aluminum geodesic dome roof using the finite element method

Martinho Rosalino Giacomitti Junior¹; Roberto Dalledone Machado¹; João Elias Abdalla Filho¹

¹ Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Escola Politécnica

doi:10.20906/CPS/COB-2015-1155

Resumo

Geodesic domes are single layer spatial structures formed by a complex network of triangles which forms a roughly spherical surface and its behavior is like a continuum body. Due to both light weight and characteristics which make possible to cover large spans without intermediate supports, its application have been very useful mainly in industrial areas. In view of its growing demand, the present study has the purpose to analyze both the global and local behavior of a prototype subject to gravitational loads. The numerical analyses are based on the finite element method and take into account the linear buckling. The results demonstrate several buckling shapes of the structure and its respective critical buckling loads. Finally, the buckling shapes are reached first from individual members and not from the whole structure.

Palavras-chave: Geodesic domes; Spatial structures; Finite element method