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Abstract

Various methods of analysis have been employed to predict the  structural behaviour of the Triangularly Folded Plate Barrel  Vault, with conflicting results. A review of past analytical  and experimental investigations carried out on the structure  show that theoretical analysis based on a smaller effective  width rather than the overall plate width is capable of closely  predicting the deflection behaviour of the structure.  This paper presents an experimental study of the behaviour of  a triangularly folded plate barrel vault with physically reduced  plate width.  It is found that physical reduction of the plate width to  correspond to ‘theoretical’ effective width weakens the  structure, by making it less stiff and highly susceptible to  buckling at high loads.  The results also confirm earlier postulates that the central  part of a plate serves to stabilize the folds and helps to  prevent torsional buckling at higher loads. The results are  useful when considering the design and construction of  cost-effective triangularly folded plate structures.

Publisher Name

University of Dar es Salaam

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