Abstract Steel plates have great potential in being used as main structural members in single-layer reticulated shells (SLRS). The main advantages of steel plates include high-precision and flexible outline shape fabrication as well as convenient transportation and storage, which make them suitable for curved surface structures. To improve the buckling resistance of plate members, two strengthening methods, i.e., double-limb method and sub-unit method, are introduced. In this study, the stability behavior of a 3.27 m × 3.27 m spherical SLRSs strengthened by using the proposed methods is comprehensively investigated via an experimental test and a finite element (FE) simulation. Specifically, the equivalent FE models for double-limb plate members and semi-rigid joints are proposed. The comparison results indicate that the presented FE model is effective for predicting the development of member stress and the structural ultimate load. Then parametric analysis is conducted, which reveals the effects of the sub-units, the bending stiffness of the joints and the geometric imperfection on the structural stability. The results obtained in this study may provide guidance for the design and analysis of this type of structure.

中文翻译：

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板构件网壳结构稳定性行为的试验与数值研究

摘要 钢板作为单层网壳（SLRS）的主要结构构件具有巨大的潜力。钢板的主要优点包括高精度和灵活的轮廓形状制造以及方便的运输和储存，使其适用于曲面结构。为了提高板构件的抗屈曲能力，介绍了双肢法和分单元法两种加固方法。在这项研究中，通过实验测试和有限元（FE）模拟，综合研究了使用所提出的方法加强的 3.27 m × 3.27 m 球形 SLRS 的稳定性行为。具体而言，提出了双肢板构件和半刚性接头的等效有限元模型。比较结果表明，所提出的有限元模型对于预测构件应力和结构极限载荷的发展是有效的。然后进行参数分析，揭示了子单元、节点的弯曲刚度和几何缺陷对结构稳定性的影响。本研究的结果可为此类结构的设计和分析提供指导。