An improved deepening design approach and stability of aluminum alloy mega-latticed structures

In this paper, an improved deepening design approach for truss-based aluminum alloy mega-latticed structures (MLSs) is proposed. This approach can effectively be applied during the deepening design phase for complex truss-based space structures. An enhanced member cross-section allocation and update process is introduced based on the traditional full-stress design principle. This process significantly improves the efficiency of the optimization in space structures and notably reduces the structural self-weight, which is critical in designs dominated by self-weight loads. Compared to the original process, the improved process increases the calculation efficiency by 50 % and reduces the structural self-weight by more than 30 %. Additionally, a buckling mode-based member tuning method is proposed based on extensive structural buckling mode analyses. Applied after the global member cross-section update, this method strategically adjusts local members and trusses to enhance the overall structural stiffness and stability substantially. It effectively mitigates premature instability issues at the design phase, offering a more efficient alternative to post-nonlinear stability analysis adjustments. By integrating these two methods, this paper ultimately presents a comprehensive deepening design and analysis workflow for MLSs. Extensive case studies are conducted following this workflow, and four typical instability modes of aluminum alloy spherical MLSs are identified and summarized. This work provides a valuable reference and new perspective for the deepening design and stability analysis of truss-based space structures.