Design Estimation Method of Buckling Load and the Associated Mode for a Single Layer Lattice Dome Roof with Square Plan

The elastic buckling mechanism and its adoption in the form of a design procedure are investigated for single layer lattice dome roof structures with square plans. The nature of the imperfection sensitivity of these structures is for the first time discussed in this paper. This allows the development of the reduced stiffness buckling analytical concept for the lattice domes based upon the introduction of a simple lower bound estimation equation through the use of the so-called continuum shell analogy theory. The linear and nonlinear buckling loads found from conventional finite element analyses have also been compared with the present estimations. Finally, the elastic buckling load estimation using an alternative buckling mode factor has been proposed.