Space Truss Nonlinear Analysis

Abstract

The nonlinear behavior of space truss members is described and modeled. The interaction between a space truss member and its adjoining structure is detailed and the “Chordal Snap Through” phenomenon is described. A nonlinear stepwise linearization analysis method is developed which does not require the repeated updating of the structural stiffness matrix. The method is used to model published experimental results and gives excellent correlation, modeling several characteristics of the experimental results.