Self-equilibrated Tapered Three-stage Tensegrity Mast

• Published in: Journal of Physics: Conference Series
• Main Author: Oh C.L.; Choong K.K.; Nishimura T.; Lee S.W.
• Format: Conference paper
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Physics Publishing 2018
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85047744331&doi=10.1088%2f1742-6596%2f1005%2f1%2f012039&partnerID=40&md5=46c560b3b9c27ced7643a5d534945043

Investigation of tensegrity structures for the space application is ongoing owing to the characteristics of being lightweight and flexible. Tensegrity structures consist of struts and cables are self-stressed and stable under gravitational loading. Form-finding is an important process to obtain the configuration of tensegrity structures that are in self-equilibrated state. Form-finding of tensegrity structures involves a complex computational strategy in solving the geometrical and forces of the structures. This paper aims to form-finding for a tapered three-stage tensegrity mast. The form-finding strategy involves the assemblage of the tensegrity mast, establishment of equilibrium equations and determination of one possible set of coefficient beta. Several cases of configurations with various twist angles with range of 20°-40° are investigated. A configuration with 9 struts and 42 cables satisfying the material elastic conditions was successfully found. The scalable self-equilibrated tensegrity mast is recommended for space applications. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.