Column Stability Of Hyperbolic Paraboloids

George Lin,* Member, ASCE

* Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92834; PH 714-278-3725; geolin@Fullerton.edu

Abstract Column stability of braced and unbraced building framing systems have been widely studied and very well established. But, the stability of column supporting hyperbolic paraboloidal roof shell with or without tied beam grid is still rather sparse. Practical application of doubly-curved shell roofs, such as hyperbolic paraboloids, have been steadily increased in the recent years. The hyperbolic paraboloidal roof has gained a great popularity due to its savings in material use and an interesting architectural form. Column stability of herperbolic parabolid is a major item in the design of hyperbolic paraboloidal system. It is the intention of this research to pursue a detailed study of column stability of hyperbolic paraboloids. For a column stability analysis of three-dimensional hyperbolic paraboloids, finite element method becomes a very effective and useful approach. Both column and hyperbolic paraboloids are divided into small line and shell elements, respectively. System matrix is formulated from all element matrices consisting of all line elements and shell elements. Finally, structural stiffness matrix and differential stiffness matrix are formulated to form eigenvalue solution in order to solve for column buckling load. The results of this research are carefully verified for the purpose of practical and professional use of the data obtained from this study. Introduction For the complicated stability analysis of three-dimensional model with columns and roof slab of hyperbolic paraboloids, finite element method with computer application becomes a very powerful approach. Columns and beams are treated as line elements, while hyperbolic paraboloidal roof shell is divided into small sizes of curved shell elements. System matrix is formulated from all element matrices consisting of all line elements and two-dimensional shell elements. The structural stiffness matrix [Ks] and the differential stiffness matrix [Kd] are formulated to form the buckling solution: { [Ks] + [Kd] } { } = 0 in which the eigenvalue, , is the load level factor for various buckling mode with the joint displacement matrix, { }. The buckling strength of column depends on column location, size, dimension, and base support condition in addition to the layout of hyperbolic paraboloidal roof. The columns with the tied beams on the top have relatively greater buckling strength than that of columns without tied beams. Different layouts of hyperbolic paraboloidal roof slabs are analyzed in an attempt to find solutions for improving column buckling strength. Results of this study are tabulated

into a simplified format for the purpose of establishing a practical expression for buckling strength of columns supporting hyperbolic paraboloidal building structures. Eventually, the difference of buckling strength of columns supporting flat slab and framing building can be fully realized and clearly defined for the purpose of practical use in professional column designs. Stability Analysis by Using Finite Element Method

Pcr L

Tied Beam b fixed a b a

Figure 1. Hipped roof type of hyperbolic paraboloid with fixed column There are many factors influence the stability of individual column member and the entire structural as a whole. These factors include geometrical, material, and loading effects. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, three dimensional structural system is analyzed for column stability by using finite element method. Figure 1 shows the columns with fixed support, while Figure 2 shows the columns with hinged support. When the individual point load is placed at various locations, finite element method with computer analysis gives the column critical buckling load, Pcr, as shown in Tables 1 and 2. Pe is the magnitude of Euler load, 2 EI/L2 . Pcr is the critical buckling of column, 2 EI/(KL)2 , in which K is the ratio of effective column length to actual unbraced length. The tied beam carries axial forces transmitted to it from the curved shell roof of hyperbolic paraboloid. In the computer stability analysis with finite element model, the interaction between hyperbolic paraboloidal roof, tied beams, and columns should be taken into account. For the case of single column buckling, the tied beams provide a lateral support at the top of column. If all columns buckle simultaneously, the tied beams will reinforce the system action of three-dimensional structure consisting of hyperbolic paraboloidal roof shell, columns and tied beams. From the results of this study, it is clearly shown a hyperbolic paraboloidal structure without tied beams will have a much weaker column buckling load. The stability of hyperbolic paraboloidal shell structure has been studied extensively in the past years. But, the interacted action among hyperbolic paraboloidal roof with or without tied beam and with column support is still rather sparse. Column stability is one 2

the major subject in the design of hyperbolic paraboloidal structure. Of course, the stability of the entire structural system including column is also very important in most professional designs. Table 1. Critical buckling loads for columns (Fig. 1) with fixed supports a=10 ft. (3.048 m); b=10ft. (3.048 m); L=10ft. (3.048m)
Location of Applied Buckling Load, Pcr

Without Tied Beam

Single Column All Columns

With Tied Beam

Single Column All Columns

Pcr / Pe K-Value

0.750 1.155

0.393 1.595

1.140 0.936

0.572 1.323

When the column base of the hipped roof type of hyperbolic paraboloid is changed to hinged support, as shown in Figure 2, the column critical buckling loads become smaller in all cases of structural layouts with or without tied beams. It can be seen very clearly in the critical buckling loads as given in Table 2. However, the layouts of hyperbolic paraboloidal columns with tied beam still give higher buckling loads.

Pcr L

Tied Beam Hinged b a a b

Figure 2. Hipped roof type of hyperbolic paraboloid with hinged column

For hyperbolic paraboloidal shell structure, a complete studies should be performed to properly establish the possibility of system buckling in addition to column stability. Hipped roof shell as shown in Figure 2 with hinged column support gives lower column buckling load than that of fixed column in all cases with or without tied beam, as given in Table 2. It is very interesting to see the system with tied beam, column buckling loads have increased greatly compared to those of the system without tied beam.

Table 2. Critical buckling loads for columns (Fig. 2) with hinged supports a=10 ft. (3.048 m); b=10ft. (3.048 m); L=10ft. (3.048m)

Location of Applied Buckling Load, Pcr

Without Tied Beam

Single Column All Columns

With Tied Beam

Single Column All Columns

Pcr / Pe K-Value

0.133 2.747

0.063 3.975

0.272 1.919

0.220 2.131

Buckling of Columns Supporting Hyperbolic Paraboloidal Roof Shell Figure 3 shows the plane view of finite element grid of hyperbolic paraboloidal roof. During the process of finite element stability analysis, the difference of buckling mode of roof shell and that of supporting column needs to be carefully distinguished. Column of Saddle shell type of hyperbolic paraboloid with tied beam is shown in Figure 4. Table 3 gives the results of critical buckling analysis of columns with fixed support in all directions. If the support in the plane of two columns is changed to be hinged, while the support in the perpendicular direction is still fixed, then the column critical buckling loads are lower than those of columns with fixed support as shown in Table 4. It is clearly shown that fixed column support and tied beam provide greater column buckling strength in all structural types of hyperbolic paraboloids as studied herein. Hyperbolic paraboloids may have many variety of combinations, the types of saddle shell and hipped roof are analyzed for column stability in this study. The anticlastic form of hyperbolic paraboloidal surface has achieved a great popularity in the recent years, due to its material saving, simple forming and structural action, and interesting architectural appearance. A variety of combinations of hyperbolic paraboloids may be used in professional designs. Each type of combinations must be carefully analyzed for structural stability including column buckling, in addition to shell behavior, membrane action,

shear, thrust, and bending actions of each individual elements. The hyperbolic paraboloid carries most loads from its geometry. If the distributed load is not symmetric, it will cause cantilever action on the supporting column of saddle shell type of hyperbolic paraboloid as shown in Figure 4.

roof shell

tied beam roof ridge roof ridge Roof b

tied beam

shell

Figure 3. Finite Element Grid of Hyperbolic Paraboloidal Roof This study focus the attention on column stability based on the assumption that hyperbolic paraboloidal roof shell does not buckle prior to column buckling. This assumption also depend on the slab thickness provided in the finite element buckling analysis. But, it is also found from his study that the effectiveness of lateral support provided by the hyperbolic paraboloidal roof is very limited on the strength of column buckling. In the case of single column buckling, the other unbuckled columns provide a good lateral support for the buckled column. Thus, the critical buckling load of single column buckling is always greater than that of all column buckling. This can be seen from all the cases studied as given in Tables 1 to 4. Hyperbolic paraboloidal shell thickness is usually not just depend on stress and strength considerations. In a lot of cases, it is based on construction configuration, structural stability, and building code requirement. In this study, the shell thickness is assumed not to cause hyperbolic paraboloidal shell buckling prior to column buckles. However, minimum hyperbolic paraboloidal shell thickness is usually only 3 inches (7.62 centimeters), while a greater thickness is normally provided in most professional designs. Most buckling studies of hyperbolic paraboloids ignored the interaction of columns, tied beams and shell elements, just focus on the shell buckling. It has been found from

this study the interacted action among all of these elements should be taken into account in the system stability analysis of hyperbolic paraboloids. There is a great difference between the column buckling loads for the cases of column with and without tied beam. It can seen very clearly from all the results as presented in this study.

Pcr

L a

tied beam a

Figure 4. Columns supporting saddle shell type of hyperbolic paraboloid Table 3. Critical buckling loads for columns (Fig. 4) with fixed supports a=10 ft. (3.048 m); b=10ft. (3.048 m); L=10ft. (3.048m)

Location of Applied Buckling Load, Pcr

Without Tied Beam

Single Column All Columns

With Tied Beam

Single Column All Columns

Pcr / Pe K-Value

0.343 1.706

0.249 2.004

0.498 1.418

0.343 1.706

Comparing the results of Tables 3 and 4, it shows the column with fixed support will have a greater buckling load than that of hinged support. This phenomenon is similar to the column buckling of framing system. This study also shows a carefully designed floor slab and beam grid system provides a stronger lateral support for column stability as shell roof does to its column stability in the hyperbolic paraboloidal system. Due to this phenomenon, carefulness must be exercised in all the professional designs of hyperbolic paraboloidal systems. Table 4. Critical buckling loads for columns (Fig. 4) with hinged supports a=10 ft. (3.048 m); b=10ft. (3.048 m); L=10ft. (3.048m)

Location of Applied Buckling Load, Pcr

Without Tied Beam

Single Column All Columns

With Tied Beam

Single Column All Columns

Pcr / Pe K-Value

0.303 1.815

0.157 2.523

0.343 1.706

0.177 2.380

Conclusions Tables 1 and 2 show the results of column stability analysis from saddle shell type of hyperbolic paraboloids, while Tables 3 and 4 give the results of hipped roof type. Both the systems with and without tied beams are analyzed in this study. After careful comparison among the results, the following conclusions can be summarized from this study: 1. The systems of hyperbolic paraboloid with tied beam provided at the top of columns give a stronger column buckling strength than those systems without the tied beams. This conclusion provides a very useful information in most professional designs. It can be seen very clearly from the comparison of column buckling strengths in all four tables as provided in this study. 2. In the system of columns without providing the tied beam at the top, hyperbolic paraboloidic roof shell provides very little effect of lateral support for column stability. It causes column buckling strengths to stay on the low side. 3. Column stability needs to be carefully studied in all hyperbolic paraboloidal structural designs. Furthermore, the interaction among hyperbolic paraboloidal shell, column, and tied beams needs to be considered in stability analysis as well as structural design. Column stability is also a very important subject.

References Zienkiewicz, O. C. and R. L. Taylor (2000), The Finite Element Method 5th Ed., Butterwort Heinemann, Woburn, MA 018801. ACI (1902), Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (318-02) and Commentary (318R-02), American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Michigan. Lin, T. Y. and S. D. Stotesbury (1988), Structural Concepts ans Systems for Architects and Engineers 2nd Ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 414-424.

Appendix I. Notation The following symbols are used in this paper: a, b = slab dimensions E = Youngs modulus; I = moment of inertia of cross section of column; K = the ratio of effective column length to actual unbraced length; Kd = differential stiffness matrix; Ks = structural stiffness matrix; L = column length; Pe = the magnitude of Euler load; Pcr = critical buckling load of individual column.