Thermal behavior of large-span reticulated domes covered by ETFE membrane roofs under solar radiation

Abstract

A strong non-uniform temperature was induced by solar radiation for the large-span reticulated domes with ETFE membrane roof, which may induce a significant thermal stress and thermal deformation. In order to obtain the temperature distribution and thermal behavior of large-span reticulated domes with ETFE membrane under solar radiation, a long term field monitoring and numerical analysis were conducted in this paper. Based on the results of both field monitoring and the numerical analysis, the following conclusions were obtained: 1) shelter effects of glass and membrane varies widely. 2) Daily temperature variation can be reduced by a large degree due to introduction of membrane. 3) Average temperature of components is increased by membrane due to ‘greenhouse effect’.4) The seasonal temperature variation has little effect on the components which located at upper part of spatial latticed shell structures, the internal force can be released by deformation. 5) Thermal response of bottom ring beam is reduced by installation temperature and double supports.