Analysis and Experimental Feasibility Study on Bio-mimicked Non-developable Shell Model

A dome structure is known for its energy efficiency, which generally does not require much internal support. Stability of the dome structure is much higher than that of the conventional structure, which is why it is mostly applicable in large structures where there are less internal supports. Taking the advantages of dome, a new shaped dome structure has been introduced by bio-mimicking the shape of jasmine flower. The study of jasmine flower has been done for bio-mimicking because of its equivalent distribution of petals and length of the petals. The shape of the flower looks similar to dome when it is inverted. A prototype model has been made by using steel wire to bring the shape of the bio-mimicked shell. Dimension of the jasmine flower has been taken by measuring the diameter and height of 15 flowers, and the mean average has been taken within ± 5% of the average value. From the D/h ratio, a scale model of 600 mm diameter and 100 mm height has been analysed using Abaqus software. Ferrocement material is used for the dome shell due to its lower cost and excellent mechanical characteristics; hence, it has been adopted for the bio-mimicked shell. For the pilot model analysis, ring beam is not considered. Observing from that analysis ring beam has been adopted in the scale model, hence stability of the structure has been increased in the scale model.