An example of ultimate load evaluation of a structure

Abstract

First a brief introduction about the nonlinear analysis of structures and its implication on their design is given. Then an already built structure, namely a cantilever roof for petrol station in the motor-way Tarrasa-Manresa, composed by cables sitiffenedby prestress is presented. The static structural analysis of the structure, that is modelled as a plane frame, is carried out in order to evaluate its response during the service and ultimate load states. The assumed loading combinations included self weight, dead load, snow load and wind actions. In the analysis, large displacements, srtiffening effects in the beam deflections and the nonlinear material behaviour have been explicirtly considered. The obtained results habe been admissible in accordance to the design conditions and they have a good agreement with the results found in the original design of the structure, in which this structure has been modelled as a plane truss with stiffening bar effects due to traction forces included.