Abstract
Abstract This is a conceptual work about the form-finding of a hybrid tensegrity structure. The structure was obtained from the combination of arch-supported membrane systems and diamond-type tensegrity systems. By combining these two types of structures, the resulting system features the “tensile-integrity” property of cables and membrane together with what we call “floating-bending” of the arches, a term which is intended to recall the words “floating-compression” introduced by Kenneth Snelson, the father of tensegrities. Two approaches in the form-finding calculations were followed, the Matlab implementation of a simple model comprising standard constant-stress membrane/cable elements together with the so-called stick-and-spring elements for the arches, and the analysis with the commercial software WinTess, used in conjunction with Rhino and Grasshopper. The case study of a T3 floating-bending tensile-integrity structure was explored, a structure that features a much larger enclosed volume in comparison to conventional tensegrity prisms. The structural design of an outdoor pavilion of 6 m in height was carried out considering ultimate and service limit states. This study shows that floating-bending structures are feasible, opening the way to the introduction of suitable analysis and optimization procedures for this type of structures.
Highlights
This paper focuses on a conceptual work about the formfinding of a hybrid tensegrity structure
All nodes on the arches were constrained to the ground, because the force-density-based Form-finding module of WinTess does not allow to find the equilibrium configuration of beams and arches, while this is possible in the large-displacement iterative procedure which was performed in the Analysis module of the software
The formfinding procedure of the present structure was completed in the Analysis module of WinTess, where constraints on the arches were released, actual material properties were assigned to all elements, and nonlinear iterative calculations were performed to find the equilibrium configuration under self-weight and prestress
Summary
Abstract: This is a conceptual work about the form-finding of a hybrid tensegrity structure. The structure was obtained from the combination of arch-supported membrane systems and diamond-type tensegrity systems. Two approaches in the form-finding calculations were followed, the Matlab implementation of a simple model comprising standard constant-stress membrane/cable elements together with the so-called stick-andspring elements for the arches, and the analysis with the commercial software WinTess, used in conjunction with Rhino and Grasshopper. A continuous surface with two types of singularities, which correspond to the curves occupied by cables and arches This new system features the “tensile-integrity” of cables and membrane, together with what we called “floatingbending” of the arches, a term which is intended to recall the words “floating-compression”, often mentioned by Kenneth Snelson, the father of tensegrities, to refer to the constructions he realized [4].
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