Minimal mass of prismatic tensegrity structures
ISSN: 0264-4401
Article publication date: 29 June 2023
Issue publication date: 14 July 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This paper is contributed to find the minimal mass prismatic tensegrity structures.
Design/methodology/approach
In the stable state of the structure with any given external force, the internal forces of the structure members are taken as the critical force to calculate the cross-sectional area, and the total mass of the structure can be obtained. Firstly, the mathematical model of prismatic tensegrity was built. Secondly, the stability of the tensegrity was analyzed based on the force equilibrium of one node, the force density relationship of elements was obtained. The deformation of p-bar tensegrity prism unit was studied with the same mass. The force of the structure under external force was analyzed.
Findings
(1) The length of bar and the structural radius are almost invariant, and the mechanical properties of 3-bar tensegrity prism is more outstanding; (2) theoretically, the mass of the structure is minimal while the projection of bar passes the center of the circle. Under the circumstances, the force of diagonal cable is 0 N, the vertical force component of bar cancels the axial external force.
Originality/value
(1) By analyzing the deformation of p-bar tensegrity prism with the same mass, the length of bar and the structural radius are proved be almost invariant and the mechanical properties of 3-bar tensegrity prism is more outstanding; (2) theoretically, the mass of the structure is minimal while the projection of bar passes the center of the circle. Under the circumstances, the force of diagonal cable is 0 N, the vertical force component of bar cancels the axial external force.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) [grant numbers: 51835002, 51875111].
Citation
Cao, Z., Luo, A., Feng, Y. and Liu, H. (2023), "Minimal mass of prismatic tensegrity structures", Engineering Computations, Vol. 40 No. 5, pp. 1084-1100. https://doi.org/10.1108/EC-11-2022-0667
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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