This is not for the uninitiated or faint of heart. However, it is not a huge or unmanageable problem unless you need to be on the bleeding edge of lowest cost / lightest weight. There are many FEA programs out there to deal with the linear and non-linear analysis and at least one that has a triangulated space truss dome geometry creator ( CADRE Analytics ). Your ability to model accurately depends on your knowledge of the actual construction, loading, boundary conditions and skill at understanding the limitations of manipulating the nuances of the software. The basic space frame is simple in concept and not too difficult to analyze or create. Making one economically will be hard for a first-timer but again, likely to be relatively uneconomical but not impossible. All in all, a fine and dandy project that you will learn a lot from and then realize that the several companies who specialize in making them have major investments in hardware, software, tooling, training, education, learn-by-failure, inventory etc that make theirs a more efficient choice and better use of your time and resources. I designed my first one by hand without a computer using basic math and engineering. I think it is still standing. I'd find it hard to compete in today's marketplace given the level of investment the established companies have made in their efforts to gain market share.
