A Numerical Method for Simulating Nonlinear Mechanical Responses of Tensegrity Structures Under Large Deformations

Zhang, Li-Yuan; Li, Yue; Cao, Yanping; Feng, Xi‐Qiao; Gao, Huajian

doi:10.1115/1.4023977

Cited by 32 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 38 publications

(92 reference statements)

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“…The response of the system is shown in figure 23 while figure 24 displays the sequential configurations from A to G. In this Case the motion of the system goes against the direction of the load (the external force spends negative work). Two subcases are presented: one where first the load is applied and then cables go through heating/cooling cycles (figures 25,26,27), and another one where first a cable is heated and then the load is applied (figures 29,30,31). We see that in the second subcase the system is able to spend more work against the load, and therefore the corresponding protocol would be preferable in applications.…”

Section: Case 1: H-c Cycles Bow-tie Diagram (Bending-type Module)mentioning

confidence: 98%

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Superelastic tensegrities: matrix formulation and antagonistic actuation

Micheletti

Santos

Šittner

2018

Smart Mater. Struct.

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Superelastic tensegrity systems are prestressed structures composed by bars and cables in which some cables are realized with superelastic shape-memory alloys. These systems combine the peculiar features of tensegrity structures with those of shape-memory alloys and are particularly suitable for adaptive and variable-geometry systems. The main goal of this work is the design of systems with antagonistic actuation, that is to say, systems where two sets of superelastic cables can be actuated against each other in a reversible way. Superelasticity is here exploited to improve the stability of systems withstanding external loads. We show that the evolution of superelastic tensegrities, subjected to load and temperature changes, is described by a system of ordinary differential equations written in matrix form, a system that we solve by standard numerical routines. We then focus on a particular class of tensegrities and state a basic design criterion for an effective antagonistic actuation. Several case studies are presented. In particular, we applied our procedure to analyze different modules that can be assembled together in larger structures. Results show that the proposed procedure is able to replicate experimental data reasonably well and that it can be used to design complex systems in three dimensions.

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Section: Case 1: H-c Cycles Bow-tie Diagram (Bending-type Module)mentioning

confidence: 98%

“…We consider to be possible to adapt one of the approaches proposed in the literature to such case, e.g. that described in [30].…”

Section: Equilibrium and Kinematic Compatibility Equationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Superelastic tensegrities: matrix formulation and antagonistic actuation

Micheletti

Santos

Šittner

2018

Smart Mater. Struct.

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“…By comparing with the governing equations of the PTS, the components in the effective stiffness matrix can then be obtained (detailed expressions are in Appendix). Since geometrical nonlinear behavior can be found intrinsically in the PTS Fraternali, et al, 2012;Zhang, et al, 2013), large modifications in the structural configuration induced by the external loadings could consequently vary the effective stiffness matrix and therefore, change the static as well as dynamic responses of the PTS. Fig.…”

Section: Theoretical Model Of Tunable Prismatic Tensegrity Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Wave propagation in tunable lightweight tensegrity metastructure

Wang

Liu

Zhu

et al. 2018

Sci Rep

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Lightweight metastructures are designed consisting of prismatic tensegrity building blocks which have excellent strength-to-weight ratio and also enable unique compression-torsion coupling. A theoretical model with a coupled axial-torsional stiffness is first developed to study the band structures of the proposed lightweight metastructures. Then, various unit cell designs are investigated for bandgap generations at desired frequency ranges. Broadband full-wave attenuation is found in the tensegrity metastructure with special opposite-chirality. Furthermore, tunable stiffness in the prismatic tensegrity structure is investigated and ‘small-on-large’ tunability is achieved in the metastructure by harnessing the geometrically nonlinear deformation through an external control torque. Prestress adjustment is also investigated for fine tuning of the band structure. Finally, frequency response tests on the finite metastructures are preformed to validate their wave attenuation ability as well as their wave propagation tunability. The proposed tensegrity metastructures could be very useful in various engineering applications where lightweight and tunable structures with broadband vibration suspension and wave attenuation ability are in high demand.

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“…A lot of previous studies of tensegrity structures involved in theoretical research [8,9], experimental study [10][11][12] and numerical analysis [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Almost of the numerical analyses focused on the classical tensegrity structure at the beginning of the study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%