Inelastic Stiffened Suspension Space Structures

A numerical procedure is presented for determining the deformational response of three-dimensional suspension structures, stiffened and unstiffened, as the loading is increased from the initial state to the ultimate carrying capacity. The analysis accounts for the nonlinear stress-strain relationship of the cables and, in the case of stiffened structures, the elasto-plastic behavior of the flexural members. The equilibrium equations are based on the deformed state. The structure is assumed subjected to static concentrated loads, applied in any direction, at the joints of the stiffening framework. The effects of support movement are considered in the analysis. Numerical studies of stiffened and unstiffened structures are included.