Morphological analysis of a novel scissor-type deployable cable dome structure

A novel deployable scissor-type strut cable dome structure was proposed, which can improve the lateral stiffness of the traditional cable structure and achieve the characteristics of fast unfolding and closing during construction. However, the geometric stability and optimal initial prestressing theory of traditional cable dome structures cannot be applied to the new structure. Based on the equilibrium matrix theory, the geometric stability analysis was conducted and the number of self-stress modes, mechanism displacement modes, and feasible prestress modes was calculated. Then, the formula for the initial prestress distribution of the structure was derived based on the node equilibrium equation. Furthermore, the geometric stability and initial prestress distribution of the structure with different rise-to-span ratios, number of circumferential struts, and hoop cables were studied. Finally, the dynamic properties of the structure are explored by finite element simulation. The analysis results show that the structure has excellent structural stability. The rise-to-span ratios, the number of circumferential struts, and hoop cables are the important factors affecting the geometric stability and the initial prestress distribution. The rise-to-span ratios have no effect on the number of structural modes, while the number of circumferential struts and cables will cause significant changes in the number of self-stress modes. The internal force of the structural members decreases with the rise-to-span ratio and the number of circumferential struts increases, and the number of circumferential struts has the greatest influence on its internal force. The structural natural frequency exhibits a dense distribution, which indicates that the structure has good stiffness. In summary, the research has provided an idea for the application of the deployable scissor-type strut cable dome structure as a new structural system in the field of structural engineering.