Dynamic response of aluminum alloy single-layer cylindrical reticulated shell under impact load: Experimental and numerical investigation

Aluminum alloy material offers high specific strength, strong plasticity, and good durability, providing an efficient and feasible solution for the diversification of materials used in large-span spatial structures. A steel truss–aluminum alloy single-layer cylindrical reticulated shell composite structure model was fabricated, and experimental studies were conducted under different impact conditions. The dynamic response patterns of key positions of the aluminum alloy reticulated shell within the elastic range were analyzed, along with the failure modes of the reticulated shell after increasing the impact energy. Finite element model of the composite structure was established to investigate the effects of different rise-to-span ratios, joint stiffnesses, and boundary constraint conditions of the reticulated shell on its dynamic response characteristics. The results show that when the mid-span of the reticulated shell was subjected to impact, the strain in the members along the length direction was greater than that in the members along the span direction, and high strain can always be detected in the members near the short side. Under high impact energy, the failure mode of the single-layer cylindrical reticulated shell is downward collapse and depression, with the central members tearing from the bottom flange to the top flange along the outermost bolt holes, and the surrounding members exhibiting buckling at the ends. The rise-to-span ratio and boundary support conditions of the reticulated shell can affect the transfer of impact energy, while the joint stiffness has a significant influence on the downward deflection of the shell.