Thermal induced stresses in thin-shell structures
Date
2012-07-19
Authors
Hansa, Shaahid
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Abstract
Thin shell structures constructed from stabilised earth were assumed to be fully compressive
structures as the loading conditions applied by the designers indicated this. However, it was
found that these structures were experiencing extremely high tensile stresses and strains.
These tensile stresses and strains are assumed to originate from thermal induced loading. This
thesis investigates the temperature distribution and thermal induced stresses in a typical thin
shell structure.
In order to determine the temperature distribution across a typical thin shell structure, a model
was built and the temperature distribution was then determined. It was found that the
temperature in the model was higher than expected. This temperature distribution was
processed in a finite element model to produce typical magnitudes of the thermal induced
stresses. It was found that thermal induced stresses are not negligible in these types of
structures and a design engineer would need to account for theses stresses. This inspired the
formulation of a design guide for these types of structures so as to adequately design these
structures in the future.