Deformation Performance Analysis of a Truss Structure Based on the Deformation Decomposition Method

Trusses are among the basic components of large-span bridges and large-space structures. A method is proposed to conduct a comprehensive deformation analysis of a truss in terms of the basic rigid body displacements and the tension and compression deformation based on complete mathematical orthogonality and mechanical equilibrium. The correctness of the proposed method is verified by comparison with a traditional strain analysis. Furthermore, a relative deformation decomposition of the mode shape is proposed to analyse in detail its relative displacement and deformation. The correctness and superiority of the proposed method are verified by comparison with the modal mass participation coefficient method and the animation from observation method. Additionally, the relative deformation decomposition of a plane truss structure is realized under any load conditions based on the superposition of mode shapes. The quantitative analysis of the basic deformation performance of a plane truss structure can also be conducted by countable mode shapes, which do not involve load conditions. Finally, the number of mode shapes that must be considered differs when using the maximum displacement and the tension and compression deformation analysis indicators.