STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF BARREL VAULT SHAPED SCISSOR STRUCTURES FOR DISASTER RELIEF

A structure that can transform from a compact bundle of scissor units to a fully expanded structural configuration is called a deployable scissor structure. Although these structures have numerous advantages over traditional structures (lightweight, compact, high-volume expansion) their practical realisation is quite limited due to their complex design process and high displacements. Research on their geometric and kinematic behaviour is ongoing; however, research on the use of barrel vault shaped scissor structures for real-life shelter applications, fully loaded as described in the European Standards, is absent. In this paper, in order to enhance the understanding and the use of scissors structures for disaster relief the structural behaviour of barrel vault shaped scissor structures is discussed and analysed. The paper analyses the deformation, the internal forces and the stress distribution of the scissor elements of a barrel vault shaped scissor structure under wind and snow loading. The paper provides the readers with insight in the structural behaviour of barrel vault scissor structures when used as a shelter, helping them making judicious choices for the design parameters and promoting the application of these innovative and promising structures for temporary use.