Adaptive force density method for form-finding problem of tensegrity structures

A numerical method is presented for form-finding of tensegrity structures. Eigenvalue analysis and spectral decomposition are carried out iteratively to find the feasible set of force densities that satisfies the requirement on rank deficiency of the equilibrium matrix with respect to the nodal coordinates. The equilibrium matrix is shown to correspond to the geometrical stiffness matrix in the conventional finite element formulation. A unique and non-degenerate configuration of the structure can then be obtained by specifying an independent set of nodal coordinates. A simple explanation is given for the required rank deficiency of the equilibrium matrix that leads to a non-degenerate structure. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the robustness as well as the strong ability of searching new configurations of the proposed method.     

Advanced form-finding for cable-strut structures

A numerical method is presented for form-finding of cable-strut structures. The topology and the types of members are the only information that is required in this form-finding process. Dummy members are used to transform the cable-strut structure with supports into self-stressed system without supports. The requirement on rank deficiencies of the force density and equilibrium matrices for the purpose of obtaining a non-degenerate d-dimensional self-stressed structure has been explicitly discussed. The spectral decomposition of the force density matrix and the singular value decomposition of the equilibrium matrix are performed iteratively to find the feasible sets of nodal coordinates and force densities which satisfy the minimum required rank deficiencies of the force density and equilibrium matrices, respectively. Based on numerical examples it is found that the proposed method is very efficient, robust and versatile in searching self-equilibrium configurations of cable-strut structures.     

Use of Cholesky Coordinates and the Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation in the Computer Simulation of Flexible Multibody Systems

In a previous publication, procedures that can be used with the absolute nodal coordinate formulation to solve the dynamic problems of flexible multibody systems were proposed. One of these procedures is based on the Cholesky decomposition. By utilizing the fact that the absolute nodal coordinate formulation leads to a constant mass matrix, a Cholesky decomposition is used to obtain a constant velocity transformation matrix. This velocity transformation is used to express the absolute nodal coordinates in terms of the generalized Cholesky coordinates. The inertia matrix associated with the Cholesky coordinates is the identity matrix, and therefore, an optimum sparse matrix structure can be obtained for the augmented multibody equations of motion. The implementation of a computer procedure based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation and Cholesky coordinates is discussed in this paper. Numerical examples are presented in order to demonstrate the use of Cholesky coordinates in the simulation of the large deformations in flexible multibody applications.     

Computer Implementation of the Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation for Flexible Multibody Dynamics

Deformable components in multibody systems are subject to kinematic constraints that represent mechanical joints and specified motion trajectories. These constraints can, in general, be described using a set of nonlinear algebraic equations that depend on the system generalized coordinates and time. When the kinematic constraints are augmented to the differential equations of motion of the system, it is desirable to have a formulation that leads to a minimum number of non-zero coefficients for the unknown accelerations and constraint forces in order to be able to exploit efficient sparse matrix algorithms. This paper describes procedures for the computer implementation of the absolute nodal coordinate formulation' for flexible multibody applications. In the absolute nodal coordinate formulation, no infinitesimal or finite rotations are used as nodal coordinates. The configuration of the finite element is defined using global displacement coordinates and slopes. By using this mixed set of coordinates, beam and plate elements can be treated as isoparametric elements. As a consequence, the dynamic formulation of these widely used elements using the absolute nodal coordinate formulation leads to a constant mass matrix. It is the objective of this study to develop computational procedures that exploit this feature. In one of these procedures, an optimum sparse matrix structure is obtained for the deformable bodies using the QR decomposition. Using the fact that the element mass matrix is constant, a QR decomposition of a modified constant connectivity Jacobian matrix is obtained for the deformable body. A constant velocity transformation is used to obtain an identity generalized inertia matrix associated with the second derivatives of the generalized coordinates, thereby minimizing the number of non-zero entries of the coefficient matrix that appears in the augmented Lagrangian formulation of the equations of motion of the flexible multibody systems. An alternate computational procedure based on Cholesky decomposition is also presented in this paper. This alternate procedure, which has the same computational advantages as the one based on the QR decomposition, leads to a square velocity transformation matrix. The computational procedures proposed in this investigation can be used for the treatment of large deformation problems in flexible multibody systems. They have also the advantages of the algorithms based on the floating frame of reference formulations since they allow for easy addition of general nonlinear constraint and force functions.     

Form-finding of tensegrity structures via genetic algorithm

We propose an efficient method for the form-finding of tensegrity structures. The force densities of each tensegrity are obtained by the minimisation of a particular objective function, leading to a semi-positive definite force density matrix (a super-stable tensegrity) with a required rank deficiency. A genetic algorithm is used as a global search technique for the minimisation. The geometry of a tensegrity is subsequently formed based on those eigenvectors of the force density matrix corresponding to zero eigenvalues. Furthermore, two other methods are introduced to convert the asymmetrical geometry obtained from the main algorithm into its symmetrical counterparts. This transformation in geometry is performed by finding a suitable linear combination of the mentioned eigenvectors. Examples from well-known tensegrities including prismatic, truncated tetrahedron, expandable octahedron and truncated icosahedron tensegrities are studied using the present method, and the results obtained are compared with those documented in the literature to verify the efficiency of the present method.     

Self-equilibrium and stability of regular truncated tetrahedral tensegrity structures

This paper presents analytical conditions of self-equilibrium and super-stability for the regular truncated tetrahedral tensegrity structures, nodes of which have one-to-one correspondence to the tetrahedral group. These conditions are presented in terms of force densities, by investigating the block-diagonalized force density matrix. The block-diagonalized force density matrix, with independent sub-matrices lying on its leading diagonal, is derived by making use of the tetrahedral symmetry via group representation theory. The condition for self-equilibrium is found by enforcing the force density matrix to have the necessary number of nullities, which is four for three-dimensional structures. The condition for super-stability is further presented by guaranteeing positive semi-definiteness of the force density matrix.     

Non-linear dynamic analysis of tensegrity structures using a co-rotational method

A new formulation is presented for the non-linear dynamic analysis of space truss structures. The formulation is based on the dynamics of 3D co-rotational rods. In the co-rotation method, the rigid body modes are assumed to be separated from the total deformations at the local element level. In this paper a new co-rotational formulation is proposed based on the direct derivation of the inertia force vector and the tangent dynamic matrix. A closed-form equation is derived for the calculation of the inertia force, the tangent dynamic matrix, the mass matrix and the gyroscopic matrix. The new formulation is used to perform dynamic analysis of example tensegrity structures. The developed formulation is applicable to tensegrity structures with non-linear effects due to internal mechanisms or geometric non-linearities, and is applied to two numerical examples. The efficiency of the proposed approach is compared to the conventional Lagrangian method, and savings in computation of about 55%, 54% and 37% were achieved.     

On a connectivity matrix formula for tensegrity prism plates

This paper considers tensegrity structures constructed from repetition of simple fundamental units. The tensegrity prism is chosen as a fundamental unit, which allows us to build plates, columns, towers, and their variations. The connectivity matrix plays a central role in analysis and design of tensegrity structures. This paper provides a systematic way to construct connectivity matrices for tensegrity structures constructed from repetition of tensegrity prisms. The number of units and node locations (shape) can be chosen arbitrarily. As an application of the connectivity matrix, a minimal-mass design subjected to force equilibrium (force balance) and yield and buckling stress constraints is shown.     

A direct approach to design of geometry and forces of tensegrity systems

In the process of designing a tensegrity system, some constraints are usually introduced for geometry and/or forces to ensure uniqueness of the solution, because the tensegrity systems are underdetermined in most cases. In this paper, a new approach is presented to enable designers to specify independent sets of axial forces and nodal coordinates consecutively, under the equilibrium conditions and the given constraints, to satisfy the distinctly different requirements of architects and structural engineers. The proposed method can be used very efficiently for practical applications because only linear algebraic equations are to be solved, and no equation of kinematics or material property is needed. Some numerical examples are given to show not only efficiency of the proposed method but also its ability of searching new configurations.     

具有非线性homologous变形约束的桁架结构形态分析

研究了具有非线性homologous变形约束条件的桁架结构形态分析问题。在已有的线性homologous变形约束桁架形态分析的基础上,将结构的节点分成三类:homologous变形约束节点,形状可变节点和边界点。运用Moore-Penrose广义逆矩阵性质,将基础方程组解的存在条件表示为包含形状可变节点未知坐标的非线性方程组,为采用Newton-Raphson方法求解非线性方程组,对AA (A为任意矩阵,A 为A的Moore-Penrose广义逆矩阵)求偏导数,找到了满足保型要求的形态,给出的桁架算例说明了本文方法的有效性。     

A computational framework for the form-finding and design of tensegrity structures

A new computational framework is proposed for the form-finding and design of tensegrity structures with or without super-stability. The form-finding of tensegrities is formulated as two unconstrained minimisation problems where their objective functions are defined based on eigenvalues of a modified force density matrix. The Nelder–Mead simplex method is then used to solve the minimisation problems. Furthermore, another efficient method is suggested for the interactive form-finding and design of tensegrities with geometrical and force constraints. Examples of the form-finding of tensegrities are presented and the results obtained are compared and contrasted with those analytical results documented in the literature, to verify the accuracy and efficiency of the developed methods.     

Form-finding of a new kind of tensegrity tori using overlapping modules

In the past decades, the form-finding of tensegrity structures of regular geometric shapes, such as cylindrical tensegrities, polyhedral tensegrities, spherical tensegrities and so on, has been systematically studied. However, seldom studies on the form-finding of tensegrity tori have been reported. Considering the potential applications of the tensegrity tori in a number of fields, including architecture, sculpture, and other relevant fields, this paper carries out an exploration on a new kind of tensegrity tori. The topology of the new kind of tensegrity tori is based on the well-known cylindrical tensegrities and overlapping between every two adjacent tensegrity modules is allowed. Incorporating the singular value decomposition of equilibrium matrix with a force-finding algorithm, a general procedure for determining the feasible configurations for the new kind of tensegrity tori is proposed. Parametric analyses on several typical forms of the tensegrity tori are conducted and the feasible ranges of the design parameters and applicability of the feasible configurations are discussed.     

Investigation of clustered actuation in tensegrity structures

As tensegrity research is moving away from static structures toward active structures it is becoming critical that new actuation strategies and comprehensive active structures theories are developed to fully exploit the properties of tensegrity structures. In this paper a new general tensegrity paradigm is presented that incorporates a concept referred to as clustered actuation. Clustered actuation exploits the existence of cable elements in a tensegrity structure by allowing cables to be run over frictionless pulleys or through frictionless loops at the nodes. This actuation strategy is a scalable solution that can be utilized for active structures that incorporate many active elements and can reduce the number of actuators necessary for complex shape changes. Clustered actuation also has secondary benefits, specifically reducing the force requirements of actuators in dynamic structures, reducing the number of pre-stress modes to potentially one global mode and relieving element size limitations that occur with embedded actuation. Newly formulated clustered equilibrium equations are developed using energy methods and are shown to be a generalization of the classic tensegrity governing equations. Pre-stress analysis, mechanism analysis and stability of clustered structures are discussed. Lastly, examples compare the mechanics of a clustered structure to an equivalent classic structure and the utility of clustering is highlighted by allowing for actuation throughout a class 1 (no bar-to-bar connections) tensegrity while not embedding the actuators into the structure.     

On the elastica solution of a T3 tensegrity structure

Stability studies of a T3 tensegrity structure are performed. This structure is composed of three slender struts interconnected by six nonlinear elastic tendons and is prestressed. The struts are governed by linear constitutive laws and are allowed to buckle. Since tensegrity is used for modeling structures with quite large deformations, for example the cytoskeleton, and bifurcation theory—valid for small solutions of the nonlinear equations—does not directly apply, a general procedure for studying the stability behavior of the particular tensegrity model based upon the elastica theory is presented. The reference placement is defined by the prestress, and the equilibrium placements are defined by the applied force and moment.     

Stability conditions of prestressed pin-jointed structures

Pin-jointed structures are first classified to trusses, tensile structures, and tensegrity structures in view of their respective stability properties. A sufficient condition for stability of an equilibrium state is derived for tensegrity structures. The condition is based on the bilinear forms of the linear and geometrical stiffness matrices considering the flexibility of members. The stability is defined by the positive definiteness of the tangent stiffness matrix, whereas the definition of prestress-stability is based on the geometrical stiffness matrix and the infinitesimal mechanisms. Numerical examples verify that the so-called super-stability condition might not be satisfied by a stable tensegrity structure, and that a prestress-stable structure can be unstable if the prestresses are moderately large.     

Geometrical nonlinear elasto-plastic analysis of tensegrity systems via the co-rotational method

An efficient finite element formulation is presented for geometrical nonlinear elasto-plastic analyses of tensegrity systems based on the co-rotational method. Large displacement of a space rod element is decomposed into a rigid body motion in the global coordinate system and a pure small deformation in the local coordinate system. A new form of tangent stiffness matrix, including elastic and elasto-plastic stages is derived based on the proposed approach. An incremental-iterative solution strategy in conjunction with the Newton-Raphson method is employed to obtain the geometrical nonlinear elasto-plastic behavior of tensegrities. Several numerical examples are given to illustrate the validity and efficiency of the proposed algorithm for geometrical nonlinear elasto-plastic analyses of tensegrity structures.     

Design methods of rhombic tensegrity structures

As a special type of novel flexible structures, tensegrity holds promise for many potential applications in such fields as materials science, biomechanics, civil and aerospace engineering. Rhombic systems are an important class of tensegrity structures, in which each bar constitutes the longest diagonal of a rhombus of four strings. In this paper, we address the design methods of rhombic structures based on the idea that many tensegrity structures can be constructed by assembling one-bar elementary cells. By analyzing the properties of rhombic cells, we first develop two novel schemes, namely, direct enumeration scheme and cell-substitution scheme. In addition, a facile and efficient method is presented to integrate several rhombic systems into a larger tensegrity structure. To illustrate the applications of these methods, some novel rhombic tensegrity structures are constructed.     

基于层次分解方法的桁架结构形状优化

对于桁架结构形状优化,应用层次分解优化方法,将设计变量分成杆件截面积和节点位置两类变量。求解时分为两层,第一层在给定节点位置下对杆件截面进行优化,同时考虑了应力、局部稳定约束和位移约束的重量最轻;第二层假定截面层的有效位移约束作用不变,求解一个使桁架刚度增强的二次规划问题,获得既不违反约束,又使目标函数不上升的新的节点位置,再返回第一层。两层交替进行直至收敛。     

张拉整体结构的动力学等效建模与实验验证

为了实现张拉整体结构高效动力学计算, 并考虑其大范围运动中柔性杆局部动态屈曲, 提出了一种受压细长杆动力学降阶模型, 采用五节点弹/扭簧集中质量离散模型等效连续杆的静力学和动力学特性. 首先, 通过静力学等效分析推导了弹簧拉压刚度和扭簧弯曲刚度表达式, 可准确预测杆件受压屈曲和近似预测其后屈曲行为. 第二, 通过动能等效分析推导了集中质量表达式, 可准确预测杆在线速度场下的运动. 第三, 通过弯曲振动固有模态等效分析确定弯曲刚度和节点质量的分布参数, 合适的分布参数取值组合可将降阶模型前两阶固有频率相对误差均降低至1%以内. 第四, 在全局坐标系下建立张拉整体结构瞬态动力学方程, 并利用静力凝聚法实现方程高效迭代求解. 最后, 分别对球形张拉整体结构准静态压缩、模态分析和碰撞动力学进行仿真和实验对比分析, 证明了提出的动力学降阶模型可有效预测张拉整体结构的静力学行为、固有振动特性及瞬态动力学响应, 并分析了结构参数变化对其力学特性的影响规律. 本文提出的动力学等效建模与计算方法, 可望用于软着陆行星探测器、大型可展开空间结构及点阵材料等复杂张拉整体系统的动力学分析与控制.      

基于OpenMP的三维显式物质点法并行化研究

基于OpenMP技术开发了三维显式物质点并行程序MPM3DMP。为了避免节点更新阶段的数据竞争,采用区域分解法将背景网格分解为均匀的子域,每个线程负责一个子域的节点变量更新,然后将更新后的节点变量装配到整体。在质点更新阶段采用了循环分解方法进行并行。针对Taylor杆碰撞的三种计算模型,在双Intel Woodcrest 4核CPU服务器下进行了测试:粗模型在4核下加速比为3.82,在8核下为6.23,中模型在4核下加速比为3.79,在8核下加速比为6.23;细模型在4核下加速比为3.75,8核下加速比为6.26。因此,本文的并行程序具有较好的并行效率和可扩展性。