Composite solar façades and wind generators with tensegrity architecture

Cimmino, Maria; Miranda, Raffaele; Sicignano, Enrico; Ferreira, A.J.M.; Skelton, Robert E.

doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2016.09.077

Cited by 48 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Thanks to their special ability to act as extremely light systems with "morphing" abilities [8,[21][22][23][24], tensegrity structures allow designing dynamic solar screens leading to a limited use of materials accompanied by a low level of energy consumption. A tensegrity reinterpretation of the system adopted in Al Bahar Towers is considered in [8,25].…”

Section: Tensegrity Solar Faç Adesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geometric Patterns and Dynamics of Foldable Moduli for Adaptive Façades

Abbate¹,

Babilio²,

Santos³

et al. 2021

Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (COM

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Section: Tensegrity Solar Faç Adesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geometric Patterns and Dynamics of Foldable Moduli for Adaptive Façades

Abbate¹,

Babilio²,

Santos³

et al. 2021

Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (COM

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“…A similar approach on adaptive tensegrity architecture mimics the dynamics of a blinking sail as a dynamic sun-screen harvesting device presented in [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptive Bending-Active Modules for a Tensile Solar Shading System

d’Ambrosio¹,

Matheou²,

Montuori³

et al. 2021

Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (COM

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Adaptive façades can be a solution to many urban aspects such as sustainability and energy efficiency. Along these lines, a parametric analysis has been conducted to investigate the geometrical reconfigurations of the proposed adaptive solar shading system, the daylight performance with Rhinoceros and the plugins Grasshopper and ClimateStudio as well as the structural behaviour with Karamba3D. A skeleton structure synthesized by GFRP bending-active elements and stabilized by a secondary system of cables with variable length and a PTFE tensile skin leads to a lightweight modular structure with embedded actuation. The control system is capable of flexible patterns and multi-stages of open, semi and close configurations for different sun shading effects, depending on the changeable weather conditions and the relative response required in every part of the façade. The mechanism recalls a Class-2 Tensegrity system with springed hinges, where the rigid members and the hinges are substituted by lamellas, which can be bend by controlling the length of the cables. Furthermore, the ever-changing modular structure, especially to the plethora of different configurations, results in an aesthetically pleasing and organic dynamic filter for a tall building. Further research can be carried out about the wind load, how the structure can be naturally wind-resistant, and convective factors triggered by air movements between the façade and the building itself.

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“…Recent research has proposed the use of tensegrity structures for the construction of renewable energy supplies forming dynamic envelopes of energy efficient buildings, due to the special ability of such structures to act as deployable systems, which can also convert the strain energy stored in cables, into electric power (Skelton and de Oliveira, 2010;Fraternali et al, 2015;Cimmino et al, 2017). Tensegrity systems are truss structures whose compressive members (or bars) can be described as rigid of partially deformable bodies, while the tensile members (cables or strings) exhibit high compliance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Kinematics and Actuation of Dynamic Sunscreens With Tensegrity Architecture

Babilio

Miranda

2019

Front. Mater.

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This paper presents a mechanical study on the use of tensegrity lattices for the design of energy efficient sun screens, inspired by the dynamic solar façades of the Al Bahar Towers in Abu Dhabi. The analyzed screens tassellate origami modules formed by 12-bar and 3-string tensegrity systems. The actuation of each module is controlled through the stretching of the perimeter strings, which form macro-triangles moving parallel to the building, while all the bars and the fabric mesh infills form micro-triangles that are allowed to move rigidly in space. We developed an analytic formulation of the deformation mapping associated with such an actuation motion, giving rise to a morphing-type behavior. We also estimated the energy required to activate the analyzed shading system, and established a comparison between its weight and that of the original screens of the Al Bahar Towers. The proposed tensegrity design concept leads to the realization of shading screens that are markedly lightweight, operate on very low energy consumption and can be usefully employed to harvest solar and wind energies.

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Composite solar façades and wind generators with tensegrity architecture

Cited by 48 publications

References 27 publications

Geometric Patterns and Dynamics of Foldable Moduli for Adaptive Façades

Geometric Patterns and Dynamics of Foldable Moduli for Adaptive Façades

Adaptive Bending-Active Modules for a Tensile Solar Shading System

On the Kinematics and Actuation of Dynamic Sunscreens With Tensegrity Architecture

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