ASSESSMENT OF EQUIVALENT STATIC EARTHQUAKE LOADINGS ON DLG AND THEIR VERSATILITY

Reticular space structures are widely selected as cover for large spaces, and are also used as refuge spaces for earthquake hit areas. Space structures are light and highly indeterminate and, for some time, these two properties caused researchers to take them as a-seismic structures. However, the 1995 Kobe earthquake in Japan showed that although space structures are safer than conventional buildings, they are not completely a-seismic. Double layer grids (DLG) are one of the most frequently used types of space structure. The aim of this research is to introduce some relations for calculating the earthquake induced forces on these structures. The relations comprise of a) assessing the static equivalent vertical base shear of earthquake action on DLGs and b) assessing the distribution pattern of the vertical base shear on the nodes of these structures. These relations make assessment of the earthquake action on the double layer grids very easy and versatile.
In this research, for assessment of the vertical equivalent static earthquake loading on double layer grids, a set of double layer grids are established. These grids have the same conffguration but dierent dimensions. Also, ffve strong ground motions with high vertical components are selected. The acceleration records of the earthquakes are scaled for a very high seismic area. By numerous linear and nonlinear analyses, a formula for assessing the earthquake vertical base shear on DLGs is produced. Also, a set of equations for distribution of the base shear on the nodes of these structures is developed. In the ffnal stage, the versatility of the equations is examined on some double layer grids, and a comparison is made with the results of the equations of the code of practice of China. It is shown that the introduced equations in this research make the DLGs safer against strong ground motions.