Linear Cellular Automation Method for Predicting Dynamic Instability Mode of Single-Layer Shell

This paper presents a linear cellular automaton (LCA) method to predict the dynamic instability (DI) mode of large-span single-layer shell subjected to ground motions. The LCA model of the shell obtains the state values of cells/nodes through its finite element analysis (FEA). Meanwhile, the concepts of nodal domain and nodal domain similarity are proposed. Then, similar nodal domains between two shells are matched through the proposed criterion. Finally, the DI mode of object shell is mapped using the criterion for projecting the formative values of base shell to similar nodal domains in object shell. Case studies show that the LCA method could be used to predict the DI mode of object shell. Consequently, this study would explore an application of LCA technique and FEA data in shells. Also, the LCA method costs much less time than FEA to calculate the DI mode of shell.