Analysis of Full-Scale Plate-Based Tensegrity Structure Using Dynamic Relaxation

Abstract

AbstractMost current civil structures are designed for a fixed configuration and use materials such as steel and concrete that have high environmental impacts. Improving the design of adjustable and sustainable structures will be necessary to accommodate a world of increasingly rapid change. This will require new analysis methods and the use of under-utilized materials. Tensegrity structures are a class of lightweight and adaptive structures which are composed of bars and cables held in a state of self-stress. Tensegrity structures can be furthered by integrating surface elements into the structure. Dynamic relaxation is static solution of form-finding that is useful for tensegrity structures. This paper explores the use of dynamic relaxation to analyze a full-scale aluminum plate tensegrity curved roof structure. Each module is modeled as a collection of bars, cables, and plate elements. Nodes are moment released and the plate is represented by bars which have adjusted areas to maintain the stiffness and in-plane behavior of a continuous plate. The proposed structure will be built as a bike parking canopy on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s campus, allowing for future insight into the full-scale implementation of aluminum plate tensegrity structures and further validation of the model. Design of the roof structure includes loads from ASCE 7–16. Results indicate that plate tensegrity structures can meet current civil engineering criteria for strength and serviceability. Lastly, dynamic relaxation is useful to determine that aluminum is a feasible construction material for this type of structure.