Optimal Construction Scheme for Controlling Construction Errors of a Cable-strut Tensile Structure

In a real cable-strut tensile structure, construction errors are inevitable. To explore the optimal construction scheme and control construction errors, this study optimized the construction scheme of a cable-strut tensile structure. First, a mathematical model of the element length error was investigated based on stochastic theory. By combining the balance equation, geometric equation and physical equation, the fundamental relationship between the pre-stress deviation and element length error was derived. Because the pre-stress in the active cable can be controlled exactly and the cable's pre-stress deviations were zero during construction, the relationship between the pre-stress deviation of a passive cable and the element length error was obtained. Then, the statistical characteristics of the pre-stress deviation were obtained under different construction schemes using statistical theory. Finally, an example was analysed as a case study. The study showed that different elements have different error sensitivities and that different construction schemes have different error effects. Using the method proposed in this paper, the error effect of different construction schemes can be analysed, and the optimal construction scheme, with lower error effects and lower construction costs, can be selected for actual construction projects.