Robustness of airport space frame structure

We present a robustness analysis of an airport space frame structure. A finite element model was implemented which reflects geometry, material and section properties, constraints and loads as specified in the original design documents. The structure was modeled as a spatial truss composed by perfectly hinged bars, made of elastic material. Five main loading conditions were extracted from the original structural design report, which include the following actions: self-weight, other permanent loads, snow and temperature gradients. For each one of these loading conditions, the most stretched bar and the most compressed bar among the top layer, the bottom layer and the diagonals, were alternatively removed, and the stress variations in the remaining bars monitored. The same was done by removing the most compressed bar among the support diagonals. A total of 15 analyses with removal of the most stretched or the most compressed bar were run. The study gives basic information about the general behavior of the structure in case of accidental loss of a key element.