

Shape of paraboloid of revolution shell is given by the equation: , where the geometrical sizes a = 10 m and f = 4 m are shown in the Figure. Derive parametrically the membrane forces from uniformly distributed vertical snow load: ps = 1 kN/m2. Determine the forces in the ring at the edge, if the ring is supported vertically.
Hint: The paraboloid of revolution has the following radii of curvature:
where α is shown in the Figure.
Solve Problem
Meridian force at the bottom, Nα [kN/m]= Hoop force at the bottom, Nφ [kN/m]= Meridian force at the top, Nα [kN/m]= Hoop force at the top, Nφ [kN/m]=Solve
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Steps
Step 1. Determine the meridian force from the vertical equilibrium. Give values at the top and at the bottom of the dome. The free body diagram of an arbitrary parallel cut of the dome is given in the Figure below. The radii of curvature are derived in the literature: Geometry of the cut is characterized by the angle, α From the inital data: The meridian force of the shell of revolution is expressed from the vertical equilibrium. where P is the resultant of the distributed snow load over the dome part. Values of the meridian force at the bottom and at the top are Step 2. Determine the hoop force from the equilibrium perpendicular to the surface. Give values at the top and at the bottom of the dome. The equilibrium perpedicular to the surface results in the following equation: The normal component of the snow load referred to the unit area of tangent plane is The hoop force is expressed as The values of the hoop force at the bottom and at top of the dome are calculated: Step 3. Draw membrane force diagrams. Step 4. Give the force in the boundary ring. The ring at the edge is supported vertically and it is unsupported radially. The opposite of the horizontal component of the meridian force loads the ring. The tensile force of the ring can be calculated from the pressure vessel formula:Step by stepCheck meridian forces
Check hoop forces
Check diagrams
Check ring force at the edge
Results
The radii of curvature are derived in the literature: Geometry of the cut is characterized by the angle, α From the inital data: The meridian force of the shell of revolution is expressed from the vertical equilibrium. where P is the resultant of the distributed snow load over the dome part. Values of the meridian force at the bottom and at the top are The equilibrium perpedicular to the surface results in the following equation: The normal component of the snow load referred to the unit area of tangent plane is The hoop force is expressed as The values of the hoop force at the bottom and at top of the dome are calculated: The membrane force diagrams are given in the Figure below. The ring at the edge is supported vertically and it is unsupported radially. The opposite of the horizontal component of the meridian force loads the ring. The tensile force of the ring can be calculated from the pressure vessel formula:Worked out solutionThe free body diagram of an arbitrary parallel cut of the dome is given in the Figure below.

