Progressive Collapse of Double-Layer Space Trusses

Peter DISNEY Structural Engineer United Kingdom P.Disney@surrey.ac.uk

Dr. Peter Disney was born in 1947, received his doctorate from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom. His main area of research is on the behaviour of space structures.

Gerard A.R. PARKE Head of Civil Engineering Professor of Structural Engineering

University of Surrey United Kingdom g.parke@surrey.ac.uk

Professor Gerard Parke was born in 1950 and has worked at University of Surrey since 1980. His main interests are in the collapse analysis of steel space structures.

The results of the analysis of two square-on square double-layer grid space truss systems are used to compare the collapse behaviour of two physical steel models considering different parameters including loading and member dimensions. It is shown that the collapse behavior of this type of structure involves yielding of tension members and more importantly buckling of compression members. More often the collapse behavior is due to the buckling of compression members which is associated with sudden and catastrophic failure. Using numerical modelling, the progressive collapse behavior of the structure subject to increasing applied load can be traced which is illustrated and discussed. The improvement and benefits from the numerical modelling results are also identified to get a better understanding of the collapse behaviour of double-layer grid space truss systems.