Grid shells- An overview

Name: Allan Lambor Marbaniang

Roll No: 184040016 , PhD.

CE 792 Assignment
 Grid shells – An overview
Introduction
Shells have been an important element in architecture and construction. Domes or arches
contribute greatly to the aesthetic beauty and significance of any construction, while also exhibiting
good structural behaviours. Grid shells or reticulated shells are a category of structures, that are very
aesthetically pleasing while posing significant structural challenges. Here, the shell structure is
basically formed by linear elements that form a shell grid with different connection patterns or
topologies. These elements are thin in comparison to the whole structure and can be formed with
timbre or steel . The form of the grid shells may be simple, like a dome or having complex forms and
shapes. Free form architecture, leads to structures with forms that may not be structurally efficient.
Efficient forms can transfer the loads through axial forces with the mitigation of bending stresses [1].
The load of the grid shell comes mainly from its dead load comprising of the members, cladding and
joints. Form-finding has therefore come up as an important field, with different efficient forms that
can be generated by physical or numerical methods [2]. In common practice, grid shells are formed
by the repeated patterns of triangular or quadrilateral connections. The configuration or topology of
the linear connections can also be optimized, along with the position of the nodes and cross sectional
area. The behaviour of the structure to dynamic loads along with its global or member instabilities
should also be kept in mind, due to the sensitivity of an optimized structure . At the member level,
different materials like stainless steels also have better behaviours in terms of structural strength or
corrosive properties.
This article tries to list out some previous research on grid with an aim to provide a general
feel and scope of some studies in the field of grid shells. The sub sequent section describes studies
describing the genetic algorithms in topology optimization, form-finding process of grid shells
coupled with an optimization of the grid configuration topology, stability of grid shells, dynamic
loading and buckling of compression stainless steel members.

Literature Review
Topology Optimization and Form-Finding
The study of topologies or configuration, is significant in optimizing a structure to a specified
load condition and support. Hajela and Lee [4] had followed a genetic algorithm approach to optimize
a structure to have a minimum weight, while satisfying constraints like stress and buckling of
members. The optimization in the configuration of connections between nodes, along with cross
section etc, must also ensure kinematic stability. The genetic approach uses concepts of parent and
children chromosomes. Here all the connections between nodes are expressed as binary values within
a chromosome. Parent chromosomes that have a favourable fitness are selected and cross over to form
the next generation. A two-step approach was followed, where the first step comprised of finding a
population of kinematic stable configurations derived from a ground structure, having all the possible
configurations. The derived population is then used for the second step to optimize the fitness
function, while considering the different constraints. Grid shell is also significant in the shape that it
forms, along with the different grid configurations it may possess. A coupled process for finding the
form and optimization has been investigated by [1]. The goal of the study was to conduct a numerical
form finding process, to find the general form with particular boundary conditions, loading and
geometric dimensions. An optimization process to find the grid configuration topology was then
followed, to find the position of the nodes and connections using a genetic mutation approach.
Constraints are also considered in the optimization process to keep limits to the geometric dimensions,
structural and global buckling. Different case studies were then preformed for different boundary
conditions and dimensions. It was found that the mass of the whole structure was able to be minimized
while keeping the optimization constraints within the prescribed limits. The configurations that
resulted from the optimization process diverted from the common repeated patterns that are usually
followed.
Stability
The stability of a structure is also an important aspect to consider. Imperfections can cause the
shell to deform well below the design load. Bulenda et al. [4] conducted a study, to investigate the
effects of imperfections on grid shells. The shells were based on actual dome and barrel arched grid
constructions. Grid shapes are highly optimized and may fail due to a combination of different failure
modes, instead of only one. A finite element analysis was performed to first find the shapes to perturb
the geometry with different initial imperfections. The imperfection shapes considered were a
combinations of eigen modes and deformation shapes to symmetric and asymmetric loading scaled
accordingly. A nonlinear analysis was then used to conduct a parametric study for both dome and
arched structures. The samples had imperfection shapes of different combinations, boundary
conditions and loading. It was found that the lowest eigen mode does not always guarantee the safest
check. Domes also showed more imperfection sensitivity and can clearly fail by stability, while barrel
arches failed through limit states.
Dynamic constraints
The previous studies have not however considered the effect due to dynamic effects. A
progressive collapse analysis was studied by Zho et al. [5], to find the collapse mechanisms of grid
shells to earthquakes. A new modelling technique based on a fibre beam element method was used
along consideration of damage accumulation. The beam section is divided into a number of fibres
with inclusion of imperfections. The numerical method was first validated with experimental results
of an arch truss model. A reticulated shell was then modelled and a dynamic analysis with a given
time history was performed. It was found that the collapse mechanisms observed considered of three
stages. These stages comprised of an elastic portion, fractures due to accumulation of damage along
with excessive displacements and finally the collapse of the whole structure.
Compression Members
Stainless steel is an emergent form of construction that is very aesthetically pleasing while
having favourable structural properties. It has high corrosion resistance, material strength, weldability
and ease in maintenance. Liu and Young [6] conducted compression tests on stainless steel square
tubular members. The aim to study the local and global strengths while changing the boundary
conditions. Stub and longer columns were tested with observations of local and global buckling.
Coupon tests were performed to find the material properties of each section which was used to find
the enhanced material strengths. Comparisons with codal predictions showed them to be conservative
with the Australian/New Zeland code able to provide more reliable predictions.
Discussion
The work done by Richardson showed that a coupling process can be done to find the form
and optimize the configuration and sectional properties. The genetic algorithm approach by was
successfully used to find the topology for grid shells with different dimensions. In this study however,
the effects of imperfections were not considered. Imperfections being important to the overall design
strength of the structure should also be considered in the process of optimization, as the structure
becomes sensitive to imperfections. A dynamic constraint can also be added to the optimization
process to make sure that the members are also able to sufficiently withstand bending stresses. The
collapse behaviour of optimized structures to earthquake loading can also be studied. Grid shells can
also be made of newer materials that make the cost of maintenance low and increasing the aesthetics,
though at a higher initial cost. In the optimization process, geometric cross sections can be optimized
with the considerations for local buckling.

Conclusion
 This article aims to give a small review of a wide range of study on grid shells. The studies
include the form finding and optimization of grid shell topologies. The stability of grid shells, and the
choice of imperfections are also important to the overall behaviour while dynamic behaviours during
form finding are also an important aspect that needs to be studied. The member behaviour of axially
loaded stainless steel columns to different boundary conditions also show the presence of local and
global buckling and a difference in their design strengths. The strengths of optimized structures can
therefore be studied with regard to theri non-linear behaviour and different material properties.In the
form design and optimization of a grid shell, all these elements can be studied together with
imperfections, local and global member buckling, and dynamic behaviour and constraints.

References

[1]. Richardson, J.N., Adriaenssens, S., Coelho, R.F., Bouillard, P., (2013), Coupled form-finding
and grid optimization approach for single layer grid shells, Engineering Structures, 52, 230-239,
doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2013.02.017.

[2]. Basso, P., Del Grosso, A.E., Pugnale, A., Sassone, M., (2009), Computational morphogenesis
in architecture : the cost optimization of free form grid-shells. J IASS, 50(3),143–51.

[3]. Hajela, P., Lee, E., (1995), Genetic algorithms in truss topological optimization, International
Journal of Solids and Structures, 32(22), 3341-3357, doi: 10.1016/0020-7683(94)00306-H.

[4]. Bulenda, Th., Knippers, J., (2001), Stability of grid shells, Computers and Structures, 79(12),
1161-1174, doi: 10.1016/S0045-7949(01)00011-6.

[5]. Zhou, H., Zhang, Y., Fu, F., Wu, J., (2018), Progressive Collapse Analysis of Reticulated Shell
Structure under Severe Earthquake Loading Considering the Damage Accumulation Effect,
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, 32(2), doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-
5509.0001129.

[6]. Liu, Y., Young, B., (2003), Buckling of stainless steel square hollow section compression
members, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 59(2), 165-177, doi: 10.1016/S0143-
974X(02)00031-7.