Abstract
To obtain the optimal uniform prestress of a tensegrity structure with geometric configuration given, a novel method is developed for prestress design of tensegrity structures by utilizing the artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA). In the beginning, the form-finding process is implemented by solving a linear homogeneous system concerning the self-equilibrium system. The issue is subsequently performed as a minimum problem by regulating the value of an objective function where the unilateral condition and the stress uniformity condition are entirely considered. The AFSA is adopted to search for the global minimum, leading to a set of initial prestresses that guarantee all the above conditions. Two illustrative examples have been fully studied to prove the accuracy and efficiency of the presented approach in prestress design of tensegrities according to the practical requirements. Furthermore, the numerical examples investigated in this paper confirm that the AFSA has explicit advantages of rapid convergence and overcoming the local minima.
Highlights
Tensegrity structures are self-stressed lightweight structures which consist of two different components, known as continuous cables in tension and interval struts in compression
The procedure is implemented by settling a linear homogeneous problem concerning a self-equilibrium system. e issue is subsequently performed as a minimum problem by regulating the value of an objective function where the unilateral condition and the stress uniformity condition are entirely considered
An effective approach is presented for optimal initial selfstress design of tensegrity structures based on artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA) algorithm
Summary
Tensegrity structures are self-stressed lightweight structures which consist of two different components, known as continuous cables in tension and interval struts in compression. The authors of [26] studied the self-equilibrium and geometrical stability properties of tensegrities by utilizing the genetic algorithm Following this trace, the authors of [27] raised the role of Advances in Civil Engineering optimal prestress design which is suitable for cable domes. There have been plenty of approaches formulated for prestress design of tensegrities, the vast majority of available algorithms can only deal with cases that own single self-stress state mode; they may not be efficient enough in solving problems with multiple states of self-stress modes, where the structural force densities of all components can be depicted as a linear combination of these mutually independent self-stress modes. For structures owning multiple states of selfstress modes (s > 1), some mathematical optimization algorithms presented in Section 2 should be employed
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