MATEC Web of Conferences 100 , 0 3024 (2017) DOI: 10.

1051/ matecconf/201710003024
GCMM 2016

Design and optimization of the large span dry-coal-shed

latticed shell in Liyuan of Henan province
Wenfeng Du*, Chunyu Liu, Yun Sun and Qi Liu
Institute of Steel and Spatial Structures in School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Henan University, Kaifeng
475004 China
*
Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract. The design and optimization about the large span dry-coal-shed latticed shell in Liyuan of
Henan province were studied. On the basis of the structural scheme of double-layer cylindrical reticulated
shell, the optimization scheme of the folding double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell was proposed.
Through the analysis of a plurality of calculation models, the optimal geometric parameters were obtained
after discussing the influence of different slopes of folding lines and shell thickness on the structural
bearing capacity and the amount of steel. The research results show that in the case of the same amount of
steel, the ultimate bearing capacity of the double-layer folding cylindrical reticulated shell whose folding
line slope is 9% and the shell thickness is about 4.4m can be increased 27.3% compared with the original
design scheme.

1 Introduction
With the expansion of the scale of power plants and environmental protection requirements, the application of dry-coal-
shed in engineering has been rapidly popularized. Taking into account the needs of practical engineering, dry-coal-shed
should have appropriate storage and work space, so the structure should meet the requirements which are large span,
high altitude, wide coverage and good mechanical performance. Spatial latticed shell has become the priority structure
of dry-coal-shed with the characteristics of large span, good integrated performance and less amount of steel, which has
achieved good economic benefits. However, with the dry-coal-shed span requirements rising and the restrictions of steel
quantity and safety, the commonly used form of latticed shell structure have already can't meet the demand of practical
engineering. It is very necessary to design and optimize the original form of latticed shell structure. Combined with the
practical engineering of the large span dry-coal-shed latticed shell in Liyuan of Henan province, the folding double-
layer cylindrical reticulated shell was proposed on the basis of the structural scheme of double-layer cylindrical
reticulated shell. In the case of the same amount of steel, the ultimate bearing capacity as the main target optimization
function, folding line slope and shell thickness as optimization variables. By optimizing the structure, the optimal
structure parameters are obtained.

2 Engineering situation

2.1 Basic situation and structural form selection

This project is large span dry-coal-shed latticed shell of 33000Nm3/h coke-oven gas LNG project in Liyuan of Henan
province, the main structure is steel material. The structure of the horizontal span is 155.6m, which is currently the
largest span of dry-coal-shed structure over the word. The longitudinal length is 365.82m, and the vector height is
47.3m. The height of the dry-coal-shed latticed shell is decided by the coal stacking height and the job requirement of
the bucket wheel. In order to ensure the normal operation of the bucket wheel, overall dimension should meet the
technological requirements and save space as soon as possible, and the structure as little as possible in contact with both
sides of the coals. The dry-coal-shed latticed shell need to meet good mechanical properties, easy manufacture and
installation, and the technical and economic indicators superior requirements.
The plane shape of the project is close to a rectangle. Structure shows multi-directional stress characters, planar
structure lateral stiffness is weak. Based on the above consideration, the dry-coal-shed latticed shell preliminary adopts
the double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell which combines skeletal structures simple structure and shell structure
reasonable force characteristics. So the structure has the advantages of beautiful form, low steel consumption, better
stiffness and simple force transmission form. The structure is a unidirectional force characteristic when the dry-coal-
shed latticed shell length and span ratio is more than 1.5 times. Thus the project selection is square pyramid space grids,
which can save the amount of steel and enhance the stiffness, so as to realize the purpose of better economic results.

© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
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MATEC Web of Conferences 100 , 0 3024 (2017) DOI: 10.1051/ matecconf/201710003024
GCMM 2016

According to the provisions of “Technical Specification for Space Frame Structures” (JGJ 7-2010) [6], the desirability
thickness of the double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell is the width of 1/20 to 1/50, and the preliminary thickness is
4.83m. The both sides of bottom chord supported in 2m height of reinforced concrete columns, and the distance
between supports spacing is 10.92m. The dry-coal-shed profile map and front view as shown in figure 1 and figure 2.


Fig. 1. The profile map of double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell in Liyuan

Fig. 2. The front view of double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell in Liyuan

2.2 Load and their combination

The dry-coal-shed latticed shell under the main loads include: (1) The constant load: The roof structure using single
profiled steel sheet and purlin (excluding net weight), load is 0.25KN/m2; (2) The roof uniformly distributed live load:
Taking into account the local snow load, roof live load is 0.5KN/m2 from live load and snow load maximum which
apply in the first quarter node; (3) The wind load: The basic wind pressure is 0.55 KN/m2 ( 100 years return period),
and the surface roughness is class B; (4)The earthquake: The seismic fortification intensity is 8 degrees, and the design
of earthquake acceleration is 0.2g. The classification of design earthquake is the first group, the building site categories
is class II, and the building seismic fortification type is class C; (5) The temperature difference: Local basic temperature
from -8 to 36ć, so the temperature difference is ± 30 degrees when design the structure, requiring joining temperature
from 6 to 22 ć . Based on "Load code for the design of building structures" (50009-2012 GB) carry the load
combination [7], and the load combination analysis is carried by MSTCAD, then calculate and analysis 19 kinds of
working conditions combination. This paper takes the most unfavorable load combination to optimize: 1.2 static +1.4
live =1KN/m2.

2.3 Design parameters

(1) The material: The material of steel pipe, sealing plate and cone-shaped connectors all select the Q345B, and design
strength is 315N/mm2. High-strength bolt using 40Cr or 20MnTiB. Bolt sphere select 45 steel.
(2)The deflection limit value: Considering large deformation will affect the drainage and safety of the structure, so
"Technical Specification for space Frame Structures" (JGJ7-2010) requirements structure deflection span ratio is L/250
(L is the span) and the displacement limit value is 0.6224m.
(3)The slenderness ratio: The lever limit slenderness ratios are determined by "Technical Specification for space
Frame Structures" and "Code for seismic design of Buildings" (GB50011-2010) [8]. For compression member, the limit
slenderness ratios is mainly to prevent too thin prone to bend, thereby affecting the ultimate capacity of compression bar,
so limit slenderness ratio is 150; for tension member, the allowable slenderness ratio is mainly to ensure the lever in the
production, transportation, installation and use of the process with a certain stiffness, so the limit value is 250; the bar
where near the support may be affected by impact or supports uneven settlement, leading to the phenomenon of
corrosion, bending, stress complex. The bar near the support is a sensitive area where affect the safety of the structure,

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MATEC Web of Conferences 100 , 0 3024 (2017) DOI: 10.1051/ matecconf/201710003024
GCMM 2016

so the limit slenderness ratios of the web member near the support are 150, which are the same as the limit slenderness
ratios of the compression member.
(4)Stress ratio: The seismic code provisions the seismic combined internal force value of the key member in the 8
degree area should multiplied by the coefficient of 1.15. The general stress ratio limit is 0.9, so the control key bar stress
ratio limit is 0.8.

2.4 Structure basic characteristics analysis

˄1˅Firstly, the structure is analysed and designed with MSTCAD, and the design stress is 283.5 N/mm2 which
strength design value of 90%. The structure is applied load and full stress automatic optimization calculation is carried
out, adjusting the software auto-configuration of the rods. The member section too small to be easy to produce the
initial bending, taking into account the convenience of welds and anti-corrosion requirements. The wall thickness of
circular steel tube should not be too thin, increasing the key parts of the member section properly, to strengthen the self-
supporting performance of the shell. The final selection of the rod specifications has 10 species: ∅60.0×3.50ǃ
∅89.0×4.00ǃ∅114.0×4.0ǃ∅140.0×6.0ǃ∅159.0×6.0ǃ∅180.0×12.0ǃ∅219.0×14.0ǃ∅219.0×16.0ǃ∅245.0×16.0ǃ
∅299.0×22.0. The biggest bar in superior string layer edge arch part, inferior string layer maximum bar specifications is
∅219.0 × 14.0, web members selection bar specifications smaller. The steel consumption of the main structure (not
counting node weight) is 809.36t. The overall displacement of the structure is shown in Figure 3, and the maximum
displacement is 0.511m, to meet the specifications of the design requirements. The maximum stress is 279.8 N/mm2,
which is less than control stress. The results of MSTCAD analysis show the strength and stiffness of the structure meet
the requirements of the specification.

Fig. 3. The displacement diagram of Structure

(2) The structural model is input to the general finite element software ANSYS, carrying the eigenvalue buckling
analysis [9], and obtain buckling mode and eigenvalues coefficient, as shown in Figure 4. As can be seen from the
results of the analysis, the first order modal along the arch to the buckling of single-wave anti-symmetric, the first order
eigenvalue coefficient is 10.459. In order to more accurately reflect the real structure of the large deformation, to carry
the geometrically nonlinear analysis, as shown in Figure 5. The structure of the nonlinear buckling load is 1.339KN/m2.
It is the weak link where structure across the region. Comparison of eigenvalue buckling analysis and geometric
nonlinear analysis shows the buckling load of the latter is smaller than that of the former obviously, so the geometric
nonlinear analysis of the structure is very necessary.

Fig. 4. The integral displacement of the first mode

(3) By checking the strength, rigidity and stability of the structure, we can obtain the following conclusions.
Although they all meet the requirements, the structural geometric nonlinear buckling load is 1.339 times larger than the
design load value. It is too small to cause the structure of the stability safety factor is small. The structure may be
unstable failure if the structure is subjected to the load limit. Based on the above analysis, it is necessary to optimize the
shell, achieve the purpose which the ultimate bearing capacity promotion in case of the same amount of steel.

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MATEC Web of Conferences 100 , 0 3024 (2017) DOI: 10.1051/ matecconf/201710003024
GCMM 2016

Fig. 5. Structural load displacement curve and failure mode

3 Optimizing Design

3.1 optimization method

Double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell structure by the action of "thin film" as the main force characteristic, most of
the load are transmitted by the shell member axial force form, structure vertical stiffness is weak, and bending stiffness
is small, greatly reduce the carrying capacity of the latticed shell structure. With the increase of the structure span, the
safety defects of the double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell structure are more and more obvious, and the structure
prone to damage.
Structural flexural rigidity is proportional to the third power of the thickness, folding the double-layer cylindrical
reticulated shell plane, so that the structure is formed polygonal-shape reticulated shell along the longitudinal direction
line, forming in transverse ridges and valleys. This method is equivalent to increasing the equivalent thickness of the
structure, and the optimized structure is called as the folding double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell structure. The
shape characteristics of the structure: the cross-section remains cylindrical form, but the form of a longitudinal cross
section of a line, as shown in Figure 6.
In this paper, the flexural rigidity of the folding double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell structure is large, which
can overcome the low of the vertical stiffness and the defects of the bearing capacity. In the optimization design, all
folding line slope were optimization analysis firstly, and choose the optimal linear slope, then based on the influence of
shell thickness on the structure performance, quadratic optimization of structure is carried, summary and analysis to
determine the best structure selection.

Fig. 6. (a) Cross section of the folding double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell; (b) The axis of the folding double-layer cylindrical
reticulated shell; (c) the vertical elevation and section of the folding double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell

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MATEC Web of Conferences 100 , 0 3024 (2017) DOI: 10.1051/ matecconf/201710003024
GCMM 2016

3.2 Optimization analysis of line slope

In the full stress design, changing the size of the rod size, to ensure that each calculation model is close to the amount of
steelDŽAccording to the size of the h divide into six groups, respectively, 1m, 1.2m, 1.4m, 1.6m, 1.8 m, 2.0m.
Geometric nonlinear analysis is carried out, and the displacement contour and the load displacement curve are observed
and compared with the ultimate load bearing capacity.
Figure 7 is a geometric nonlinear analysis results which seven kinds of the folding double-layer cylindrical
reticulated shell structure. From the load displacement curve, it can be seen that the structure has obvious geometric
nonlinearity. Taking into account the different h values corresponding to the instability mode map is similar, so only the
results of the geometric nonlinear analysis of the folding double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell structure in h=1.0m is
listed, as shown in Figure 9.The results of seven kinds of the folding double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell structure
with steel, maximum displacement and ultimate bearing capacity are summarized as shown in table 1.

Fig.7. Different slopes corresponding structural load displacement curve

Fig.8. The structural instability mode figure when h=1.0m

Table 1. H1~H6 of different curves

h /m The amount of steel /t
Maximum displacement /m Ultimate bearing capacity KN/m2

0 809.36 0.572 1.339

1.0 809.21 0.401 1.578
1.2 809 0.406 1.421
1.4 809.20 0.4 1.540
1.6 808.92 0.4 1.493
1.8 809.55 0.391 1.528
2.0 809.20 0.387 1.575
Comprehensive chart results can be obtained, the ultimate bearing capacity is the largest when h=1.0m (line slope is
9.16%), and the value is 1.578KN/m2. Compared to the double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell in its bearing capacity
increase 17.91%, at the same time the structure of the maximum stress is 262.4N/mm 2 and the maximum vertical

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MATEC Web of Conferences 100 , 0 3024 (2017) DOI: 10.1051/ matecconf/201710003024
GCMM 2016

displacement is 0.401m, the strength, stiffness and stability of the structure are improved significantly. The ultimate
bearing capacity of the structure is the lowest bearing capacity of the structure with the change of the slope of the line
when the h=1.2m, and the value is 1.42KN/m2. However, the ultimate bearing capacity of the structure increased 5.97%
compared to the original double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell, at the same time the structure of the maximum stress
is 288.8 N/mm2 and the maximum vertical displacement is 0.406m, the strength, stiffness and stability of the structure
are improved significantly. The analysis results show the ultimate bearing capacity of the double-layer cylindrical
reticulated shell structure can be significantly improved by changing the line slope, so this optimization method is
feasible and effective. The appropriate line gradient is h=1.0m (the line slope is 9.16%).

3.3 Optimization analysis of shell thickness

On the basis of the optimization in the line slope, the shell what the h=1.0m and the shell thickness H=4.83m is selected
to make the quadratic optimization. In the case of the same amount of steel, the shell thickness is an important factor to
affect the bearing capacity. Use different shell thickness in this project, to analysis the impact of different shell
thickness H on the structure bearing capacity. The results of different shell thickness with steel, maximum displacement
and ultimate bearing capacity are summarized as shown in table 2. The influence of shell thickness on the bearing
capacity can be directly seen through the different shell thickness H corresponding to bearing capacity curve, as shown
in Figure 9.
Table 2. The data comparison of the different shell thickness
Shell The Maximum
Ultimate bearing
thickness amount of displacement
capacity KN/m2
/m steel /t /m
3.0 809.28 0.595 1.135
3.5 809.00 0.514 1.284
4.0 809.70 0.457 1.479
4.4 808.78 0.422 1.705
5.0 809.74 0.393 1.657
5.5 808.41 0.372 1.630
6.0 809.25 0.367 1.534


Fig.9. Different shell thickness corresponding bearing capacity curve
From table 2, figure 9 shows that shell thickness and ultimate bearing capacity has generally increased first and then
decreased. The ultimate bearing capacity is the largest when the shell thickness H=4.4m, the value is 1.705KN/m2, bars
maximum stress 248.5N/mm2, and the maximum vertical displacement of 0.512m. Compared to the structure of the
front of the quadratic optimization, its strength and stability has significantly improved, so this optimization method is
proved feasible and effective.

3.4. Optimization results

Through the structure optimization, then determine the structure type selection is folding double-layer cylindrical
reticulated shell, the shell thickness is 4.4m and the line slope is 9% (h=1.0m). In the case of the same amount of steel,
the ultimate bearing capacity of the shell what is optimized enhance 27.33% than the initial model, the maximum stress
of the rod is reduced 11.19%, and the maximum vertical displacement of the structure can meet the requirements of the
specification.
The final choice of rod specifications has nine species: ∅ 89.0×4.00ǃ∅ 114.0×4.0ǃ∅ 140.0×6.0ǃ∅ 159.0×6.0ǃ
∅ 180.0×12.0ǃ∅ 219.0×14.0ǃ∅ 219.0×16.0ǃ∅ 245.0×16.0ǃ∅ 299.0×22.0. The biggest bar in superior string layer
edge arch part, inferior string layer maximum bar specifications is ∅ 180.0×12.0mm, web members selection maximum
bar specifications is ∅ 159.0×6.0mm, and the number of units is 6048. The steel consumption of the main structure is
808.78t.

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MATEC Web of Conferences 100 , 0 3024 (2017) DOI: 10.1051/ matecconf/201710003024
GCMM 2016

4 Conclusion and suggestion

(1)The large span dry-coal-shed latticed shell in Liyuan use the optimized structural which the folding double-layer
cylindrical reticulated shell has obvious advantages than double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell. The ultimate bearing
capacity of the double-layer folding cylindrical reticulated shell can be increased 27.3% compared with the original
design scheme, and increase economic efficiency.
(2)For the folding double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell, the strength, stiffness and stability are better when the
line slope is 9% and the shell thickness is about 1/35 of span.
(3)In the construction of the folding double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell, along the longitudinal direction can
take a fold line as the basic unit for installation, and finally connected with each fold line which between the bottom
chord bar.

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