Scale effect and load-bearing behavior of a reconfigurable hybrid structure

Abstract

The current paper refers to a reconfigurable, planar structural typology of an arch-like structure that consists of eight hinge-connected members stabilized through a secondary system of struts and continuous cables of adjustable length. The reconfiguration approach is based on the ‘effective 4-bar’ concept, using a sequence of one degree-of-freedom motion steps by selectively releasing four joints of the primary members and appropriately tensioning one cable at a time. Three systems with 25 % respective relative progressive increase of their physical geometric size are investigated with regard to their static behavior in all reconfiguration steps, based on a Finite-Element Analysis conducted. The load cases considered in the analyses include the self-weight of the structure, a uniform distributed vertical load of 5 kN/m and a horizontal wind load of 2 kN/m. The results include the torques at the locked joints of the structure and the axial forces in the cables.