Because of its structural properties, simplicity of construction, economy, and the wide number of shapes that can be obtained from combinations of parabolas of different curvatures and from sections with principal axes rotated or translated, the Hyperbolic Paraboloid has become a popular form for roof shells. In this thesis a comprehensive method was presented for the analysis of a hyperbolic paraboloid surface with curved edges. Its reliability is verified by comparing the analytical and experimental results of displacements of a thin shell plaster model without edge beams and supported along two opposite edges. The model tested was 36" X 36" X 1/8" thick. The analysis is based on the Shallow Shell Theory and represents a combination of known techniques. In general good agreement was found between the analytical computations and the experimental measurements of displacements.

Master of Science