Optimization of submerged domes

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the optimal design of submerged domes. In addition to the hydrostatic pressure, the dome structure has to carry its own weight and a skin cover load. The loads are assumed to be transmitted through the dome structure to the supporting ring foundation via membrane forces only. By adopting a fully stressed design, the problem in hand is to determine the shape and thickness variation of the submerged dome. The set of nonlinear differential equations and boundary conditions constitute a two-point boundary problem that can be solved by a shooting-optimization method. Based on a family of fully stressed designs associated with a given water depth and dome height, the optimal dome shape for minimum weight is identified. © 2005 Civil-Comp Press.