CHARACTERISTICS OF SIX-STRUT TENSEGRITY MODEL DURING SHAPE CHANGE

• Published in: Malaysian Construction Research Journal
• Main Author: Badrul N.E.L.N.; Lian O.C.; Zain M.R.M.; Yahya N.A.; Wee L.S.; Nishimura T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Construction Research Institute of Malaysia 2023
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85174059835&partnerID=40&md5=8078c1782779659f09c3001171f53d6d

Active and deployable tensegrity structures are extensively studied due to the unique characteristics of tensegrity such as highly deformable and controllable. This paper presents the numerical application of the shape change strategy on a six-strut model. The shape change method solves the optimisation problem for forced elongation in cables and minimises distance between the targeted coordinates and monitored nodes. A total of four numerical cases for a six-strut tensegrity model were studied, with one or two nodes monitored to approach the targeted coordinates prescribed in either x-, y-or z-directions. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the shape change method and determine the structural characteristics of a six-strut model during the shape change analysis. It is found that the six-strut model in all cases has successfully displaced and advanced to the prescribed targets via the shape change method. The numerical analysis results also show that the six-strut model performed axial and twisting deformations with the axial forces maintained within the elastic limit. © 2023, Construction Research Institute of Malaysia. All rights reserved.