Cable fracture simulation and experiment of a negative Gaussian curvature cable dome

This paper describes a newly developed negative Gaussian cable-strut structure. It focuses on the fracture of a member using an experimental model and the corresponding vector form intrinsic finite element (VFIFE) model. First, this study considered the VFIFE algorithm for bars, cables, and beams. Next, an experimental model of a negative Gaussian curvature cable dome with its supporting system and the corresponding VFIFE model were built. Then, the given ridge cable was fractured using a shear force, and the structural dynamic response during fracture was tested. Finally, to further study the influence of fracture on the structure, different sections of three main ridge cables were selected, and their fractures were successively simulated using the VFIFE model. The results indicated that the VFIFE was an efficient and accurate way to simulate the member fracture of a negative Gaussian curvature cable dome. Furthermore, the results confirmed that members in a section with a negative curvature not only have a much greater effect on the structure but also are much more sensitive to member fracture.