A study of lamella in structural steel

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to approach a partial theoretical understanding of the design of lamella structures and to determine the economic merit of the lamella structure as a structural steel hangar.

A survey revealed no literature that discusses the design of lamella past the concept that the lamella could be designed as independent arches.

In this thesis the analysis and design of the main structural steel members are attempted. In the analysis of the hangar it is assumed that the intersecting arches will not interact under load. The effect of the error of this assumption is minimized by furnishing partial support to the free edge of the lamella system by the use of an arch that spans the structure at the transverse edge. The effect of this edge arch is to cause the maximum stresses to occur in the interior of the lamella system where the interaction is minimized by the symmetry of the system.

The method of analysis is a combination of graphic statics and virtual work. Graphic statics was used to determine the pressure line of the arches and virtual work summations were used to determine the redundant loads and reactions.

At the conclusion the structure is compared on a tonnage of steel basis, with a structure of the same approximate size composed of steel rigid frames.