Influence of welding sequence on the mechanical properties of a latticed shell formed by orthogonal and oblique members

Abstract

With the development of economy and the improvement of people’s aesthetic level, large-span latticed shells are increasingly used. Such structures are commonly large in volume and huge in welding. In order to select an optimum welding sequence and avoid correcting complex welding deformation, a latticed shell formed by orthogonal and oblique members was taken as the research object in this paper. The finite element models of single and whole latticed shells were established respectively, and according to the equal deformation principle, the influence of different welding sequence on the deformation and internal force of the structure in each construction stage was quantitatively analyzed. The results show that in the welding and assembling stage of small assembling units in the single latticed shell, welding sequence has the greatest impact on the longitudinal deformation, and the change rate of the longitudinal deformation is up to 83.63%; whereas in the tension, sliding and closure stages of each piece of the latticed shell, the transverse deformation is most affected by welding sequence, and the change rate is 33.05%; in different construction stages, the axial stress of the latticed shell is less vulnerable to welding sequence. Furthermore, it is feasible to control the welding shrinkage deformation by selecting a reasonable welding sequence, and the symmetrical welding sequence from both ends to the middle should be adopted during construction.