Scelernomic analysis of structures considering connection slip

A challenge in structural engineering of space and ground radio and light wave reflectors is to retain surface geometry to a high precision in the context of pinned connections and changing loads. This paper describes a direct approach to assessing worst-case geometric degradation of these structures for hypothesized slots in the members.The paper presents the structural model, an analysis procedure, and illustrative results. The model addresses articulated structures with slots small compared with member lengths. The analysis process implies stepwise linear behavior. The examples encompass determinate and indeterminate two-dimensional trusses.The approach results in an analysis process capable of predicting the extremes of slip accumulation. Like limit analysis, it provides behavior prediction in a finite number of steps with guaranteed success. Data from the sample analyses suggest that fabrication tolerances should be much less than allowable member elongations if long-time high precision is desired.