Experimental Study on a Single Layer Two-Way Grid Shell with Tension Members

Single layer two-way grid shell with in-plane and out-of-plane tension members is a new type of single-layer latticed shell roofs. Compared with traditional single-layer latticed shells,this new type has a unique mesh form and excellent rigidity. In order to further understand the buckling behaviors of single layer two-way grid cylindrical shell roof with tension members,the buckling experiments have been undertaken to investigate the effect of tension members,in either out-of-plane or in-plane placement. A single layer two-way grid cylindrical shell roof with out-of-plane tension members has been tested under symmetric and asymmetric loading. The tension member placement,the introducing initial axial force to tension members and the load patterns are considered to investigate the buckling behavior. Experimental results indicate that four long out-ofplane tension members work well under symmetrical loading,but only two long out-of-plane tension members work under asymmetrical loading. It can be concluded that the PC bar members used as tension members for this study are useful in the construction of a single layer two-way grid cylindrical shell roof with structural members intersecting at small angles.