Stability conditions for tensegrity structures

Stability conditions for tensegrity structures are derived based on positive definiteness of the tangent stiffness matrix, which is the sum of the linear and geometrical stiffness matrices. A necessary stability condition is presented by considering the affine motions that lie in the null-space of the geometrical stiffness matrix. The condition is demonstrated to be equivalent to that derived from the mathematical rigidity theory so as to resolve the discrepancy between the stability theories in the fields of engineering and mathematics. Furthermore, it is shown that the structure is guaranteed to be stable, if the structure satisfies the necessary stability condition and the geometrical stiffness matrix is positive semidefinite with the minimum rank deficiency for non-degeneracy.     

Dynamic behavior and vibration control of a tensegrity structure

Tensegrities are lightweight space reticulated structures composed of cables and struts. Stability is provided by the self-stress state between tensioned and compressed elements. Tensegrity systems have in general low structural damping, leading to challenges with respect to dynamic loading. This paper describes dynamic behavior and vibration control of a full-scale active tensegrity structure. Laboratory testing and numerical simulations confirmed that control of the self-stress influences the dynamic behavior. A multi-objective vibration control strategy is proposed. Vibration control is carried out by modifying the self-stress level of the structure through small movement of active struts in order to shift the natural frequencies away from excitation. The PGSL stochastic search algorithm successfully identifies good control commands enabling reduction of structural response to acceptable levels at minimum control cost.     

Vibration of an elastic tensegrity structure

The dynamic behavior of a simple elastic tensegrity structure is examined, in order to validate observations that the natural damping of the elastic elements in such a structure is poorly mobilized, due to the natural flexibility of the equilibrium position of the structure. It is confirmed, analytically and numerically, that the energy decay of such a system is slower than that of a linearly-damped system.     

Stability of a tensegrity structure: application to cell mechanics

Stability studies of a tensegrity structure, used as a model for cell deformability, are performed. This structure is composed of 6 slender struts interconnected by 24 linearly elastic cables. The cables and the struts are governed by linear constitutive laws. The struts are allowed to buckle. Adapting experimental evidence, the struts have already buckled at the reference placement due to the prestress of the tendons. A general procedure for studying the stability behavior of the particular tensegrity model is presented. The reference placement is defined by the prestress, and the equilibrium placements are defined for any three-dimensional applied forces.     

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.     

Kinematic analysis of a rolling tensegrity structure with spatially curved members

In this work, a tensegrity structure with spatially curved members is applied as rolling locomotion system. The actuation of the structure allows a variation of the originally cylindrical shape to a conical shape. Moreover, the structure is equipped with internal movable masses to control the position of the center of mass of the structure. To control the locomotion system a reliable actuation strategy is required. Therefore, the kinematics of the system considering the nonholonomic constraints are derived in this paper. Based on the resulting insight in the locomotion behavior a feasible actuation strategy is designed to control the trajectory of the system. To verify this approach kinematic analyses are evaluated numerically. The simulation data confirm the path following due to an appropriate shape change of the tensegrity structure. Thus, this system enables a two-dimensional rolling locomotion.

     

Steady-state dynamics of a 3D tensegrity structure: Simulations and experiments

This paper considers a modeling and analysis approach for the investigation of the linear and nonlinear steady-state dynamics of a base excited 3D tensegrity module carrying a top mass. The tensegrity module contains three compressive members, which may buckle and six cables (tendons). First, a dynamic model of the system is derived using Lagrange’s equation with constraints. The buckling modeling of the compressive members is based on the assumed-mode method with a single mode discretization. The tendons are modeled as piecewise linear springs, which can only take tensile forces. This research focusses on the dynamic stability of the tensegrity structure by defining the geometrical and material properties in such a way that the system is just below the static stability boundary. Static and linear dynamic analysis is performed. In the nonlinear steady-state analysis, frequency-amplitude plots, power spectral density plots, bifurcation point continuation diagrams, and Poincaré maps are presented. A tensegrity structure is designed and manufactured and an experimental set-up is realized in order to validate the model by comparing experimentally and numerically obtained responses. In the validation stage, the numerical results are based on an amplifier-shaker-tensegrity structure model. It can be concluded that the numerical results match partly quantitatively and partly qualitatively with the experimentally obtained responses.     

Mechanical response of a tensegrity structure close to its integrity limit submitted to external constraints

The response to an external constraint of a symmetrical tensegrity structure made of elastic and rigid elements has been studied by numerical experiments. Two non-linear effects have been found when the structure is close to its integrity limit above which it collapses. The first one is that the mechanical power response of the tensegrity structure can be modulated according to the magnitude of the applied force. This effect indicates that the structure may act as a mechanical power amplifier. The second one is that a slightly prestressed tensegrity structure can offer a greater resilience to an applied force than more prestressed equivalent structures. This paradoxical stiffening effect indicates that increasing the prestress may not always be the most efficient way to keep the stability of the structure.     

Algebraic tensegrity form-finding

This paper concerns the form-finding problem for general and symmetric tensegrity structures with shape constraints. A number of different geometries are treated and several fundamental properties of tensegrity structures are identified that simplify the form-finding problem. The concept of a tensegrity invariance (similarity) transformation is defined and it is shown that tensegrity equilibrium is preserved under affine node position transformations. This result provides the basis for a new tensegrity form-finding tool. The generality of the problem formulation makes it suitable for the automated generation of the equations and their derivatives. State-of-the-art numerical algorithms are applied to solve several example problems. Examples are given for tensegrity plates, shell-class symmetric tensegrity structures and structures generated by applying similarity transformation.     

Optimization of tensegrity structures

This paper concerns the design of tensegrity structures with optimal mass-to-stiffness ratio. Starting from an initial layout that defines the largest set of allowed element connections, the procedure seeks the topology, geometry and prestress of the structure that yields optimal designs for different loading scenarios. The design constraints include strength constraints for all elements of the structure, buckling constraints for bars, and shape constraints. The problem formulation accommodates different symmetry constraints for structure parameters and shape. The static response of the structure is computed by using the nonlinear large displacement model. The problem is cast in the form of a nonlinear program. Examples show layouts of 2D and 3D asymmetric and symmetric structures. The influence of the material parameters on the optimal shape of the structure is investigated.     

Deployment of tensegrity structures

In this paper we present a strategy for tensegrity structures deployment. The main idea is to use a certain set of equilibria to which the undeployed and deployed configurations belong. In the state space this set is represented by an equilibrium manifold. The deployment is conducted such that the deployment trajectory is close to this equilibrium manifold.     

Zero stiffness tensegrity structures

Tension members with a zero rest length allow the construction of tensegrity structures that are in equilibrium along a continuous path of configurations, and thus exhibit mechanism-like properties; equivalently, they have zero stiffness. The zero-stiffness modes are not internal mechanisms, as they involve first-order changes in member length, but are a direct result of the use of the special tension members. These modes correspond to an infinitesimal affine transformation of the structure that preserves the length of conventional members, they hold over finite displacements and are present if and only if the directional vectors of those members lie on a projective conic. This geometric interpretation provides several interesting observations regarding zero stiffness tensegrity structures.     

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.     

Numerical form-finding of tensegrity structures

A novel and versatile numerical form-finding procedure that requires only a minimal knowledge of the structure is presented. The procedure only needs the type of each member, i.e. either compression or tension, and the connectivity of the nodes to be known. Both equilibrium geometry and force densities are iteratively calculated. A condition of a maximal rank of the force density matrix and minimal member length, were included in the form-finding procedure to guide the search of a state of self-stress with minimal elastic potential energy. It is indeed able to calculate novel configurations, with no assumptions on cable lengths or cable-to-strut ratios. Moreover, the proposed approach compares favourably with all the leading techniques in the field. This is clearly exemplified through a series of examples.     

Structural morphology of tensegrity systems

The coupling between form and forces, their structural morphology, is a key point for tensegrity systems. In the first part of this paper we describe the design process of the simplest tensegrity system which was achieved by Kenneth Snelson. Some other simple cells are presented and tensypolyhedra are defined as tensegrity systems which meet polyhedra geometry in a stable equilibrium state. A numerical model giving access to more complex systems, in terms of number of components and geometrical properties, is then evoked. The third part is devoted to linear assemblies of annular cells which can be folded. Some experimental models of the tensegrity ring which is the basic component of this “hollow rope” have been realized and are examined.     

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.     

Stiffness of planar tensegrity truss topologies

This paper proposes and demonstrates a symbolic procedure to compute the stiffness of truss structures built up from simple basic units. Geometrical design parameters enter in this computation. A set of equations linear in the degrees-of-freedom, but nonlinear in the design parameters, is solved symbolically in its entirety. The resulting expressions reveal the values of the design parameters which yield desirable properties for the stiffness or stiffness-to-mass ratio. By enumerating a set of topologies, including the number of basic units, and a set of material distribution models, stiffness properties are optimized over these sets. This procedure is applied to a planar tensegrity truss. The results make it possible to optimize the structure with respect to stiffness properties, not only by appropriately selecting (continuous) design parameters like geometric dimensions, but also by selecting an appropriate topology for the structure, e.g., the number of basic units, and a material distribution model, all of which are discrete design decisions.     

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.     

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.