Configurations of Braced Domes

Braced domes may be fabricated in any of several common grid configurations. With different configurations, the dome performance varies considerably affecting both its competitiveness and suitability for specific applications. The study presented in this paper is an assessment of the most commonly adopted dome configurations and their effect on the dome characteristics such as the stiffness/weight value, member stress distribution, number of joints and members, degree of redundancy and cost. The study is parametric and covers wide variations of dome span/rise ratio and boundary conditions. The results of this study could be of significant value to the design of future braced dome structures.