On possible applications of smart structures controlled by self-stress

Abstract

Civil Engineering (CE) is one of the many fields of possible implementation of smart or intelligent technologies. The present paper is an attempt to specify and estimate problems and areas of CE suitable for the application of such technologies, with the focus on Bridge Engineering (BE). Precise definitions, explanations and classifications of terms used in smart technique are introduced and components of smart systems are defined. Analogies between smart systems and biological ones are indicated. The paper presents some of the research projects carried out in the field of CE, according to the current state-of-the-art. Concepts of smart bridges are proposed and several examples of structural control performed on space trusses and tensegrity structures with self-stress are introduced.Examples of structural control presented in the paper show that characteristic displacements of the analysed structures may be reduced by changing the prestressing force applied to the single modules, which are a part of the structure. Results of the performed analysis indicate that tensegrity structures are much more prone to the changes in the value of prestressing force than truss structures, which makes them a promising solution as far as structural control is concerned.