Dynamic performance of cable net facades

Model tests and finite element analyses were conducted to study the performance of cable net facades with glass panels under dynamic loadings. The effects of the glass panels on the free vibration frequencies, damping and dynamic responses of the cable net facade were investigated using dynamic characteristics and shaking table tests. Based on the test results, a mechanism to describe the glass panels working in coordination with the cable net was proposed. Under the proposed mechanism, a numerical model of the glass panels working in coordination with the cable net was established, and the corresponding analyses of the dynamic characteristics and seismic responses of the cable net facade were performed. The present study shows that the bending stiffness of the glass panels has little effect on the first mode of the cable net facade, but its effect is substantial on the high modes. For the damping of the cable net facade, the glass panels play a dominant role. The seismic response of the cable net facade on most occasions is mainly reflected by the symmetric modes; the first vibration mode is dominant.