Dynamic Analyses and Simplified Methods for Evaluating Complicated Suspend-dome Structures Subjected to Sudden Cable Failure

Accidental cable failure may occur for complicated suspend-dome structures, resulting in the dynamic impact effect on structures. This study presents simplified analysis methods for evaluating suspend-dome structures when sudden cable failure occurs. An implicit analysis method of improved alternative load path (IAM-IAP) was employed to simply simulate the cable failure process of the beam-string structure. The IAM-IAP was also validated by comparing the calculated results with the existing test results for the truss string structure. The parameters of the cable failure process (i.e., failure time, failure path, and damping ratio) were analyzed, and suitable values were recommended. Based on the IAM-IAP, a finite element model of multi-loop cable-string suspend-dome structure (MCSS) was established and benchmarked by verifying the static responses during construction. Dynamic responses (i.e., time histories, displacements, axial forces, and dynamic amplification factors) of MCSS were systematically investigated. The dynamic amplification factor may be larger than 2, exceeding the suggested value of existing specifications. A static equivalent method with reasonable prediction accuracy was also proposed to simply assess the dynamic responses of suspend-dome structures subjected to sudden cable failure.