Abstract A radio telescope of 50m in diameter, basically, for pulsar observation, is to work at multi-wave bands among which the shortest wavelength is 13 cm. Proposed is a fully steerable exposed truss structure scheme of the telescope. The design is essentially a wheel-on-track style radio telescope with 6 rollers in three bodies for azimuth drive and support, while two sets of gear wheel for elevation drive. The main reflector is a mesh with crimped stainless steel wire spanned on a ``bowl-like'' back-up truss structure which is supported by 6 points on its bottom. After discussion of structural design and related dead-load analysis, wind and thermal disturbances are estimated. Particularly, response spectrum seismic hazard is performed with response spectra analysis. The results confirm that the 50m radio telescope can meet the observational requirements and survive seismic hazard of acceleration of 0.1 gravity with a light and cost-effective structure.
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