The energy-based failure mechanism of reticulated domes subjected to impact

Abstract To systematically study and determine the failure mechanism of reticulated domes when subjected to impact, ANSYS/LSDYNA was utilized to establish a functional and effective finite-element analysis method for the impact responses of reticulated domes. The impact load characteristics imposed on reticulated domes under three types of failure modes were analyzed, and the peak value and duration time were compared. Based on structural deformation and the node velocity at critical moments during impact, the collapse of reticulated domes is classified into three stages in light of energy transfer and conversion: impulse application, energy transfer, and conversion and dissipation. On this basis, and using the single-layer Kiewitt-8 reticulated dome as an example, the characteristics of energy transfer and conversion of the impact-induced failure processes were quantitatively analyzed. Consequently, the energy-based failure mechanism of reticulated domes subjected to impact is revealed.