Nonlinear buckling phenomenon of a novel type of structure, namely, a prest
ressed dome, is investigated using a nonlinear finite-element model. A pres
tressed dome is formed by buckling its individual flat members into arch fr
ame works, and then the structure may be stiffened by cable loops in the ci
rcumferential direction. A corotational formulation of a 3D beam element, a
nd a cable element, which is modeled as a catenary between connected points
in the dome, are used to develop an algorithm for nonlinear stability anal
ysis of the system by considering large displacements and rotational. The i
ncremental load technique using a Newton-Raphson iteration scheme in conjun
ction with Crisfield's modified are-length method is utilized to trace the
nonlinear path of equilibrium. Buckling of prestressed domes with different
numbers and locations of cable stiffeners are studied, and the results sho
w that skeletal domes with stiffeners buckle at much higher loads than the
corresponding unstiffened domes.