Computational Modeling of the Dynamics of Active Sunscreens With Tensegrity Architecture

Abstract

Recent studies have investigated the use of tensegrity structures for the construction of active solar façades of Energy Efficient Buildings. In this paper we simulate the dynamics of shading screens with tensegrity architecture through an in-house developed code that handles rigidity constraints on the deformation of the bars. We present numerical results illustrating the dynamic response of a tensegrity solar façade and its morphing capabilities, which require minimal storage of internal energy.

Dynamics of Tensegrity Solar Façades Operating as Mechanical Energy Harvesters

“…The present contribution briefly details about an origami module based on tensegrity architecture equipped with piezoelectric strings. The module is designed to be mounted in front of or to cover building fac ¸ades and pursue the two-fold objective to serve both as screen and mechanical energy harvester and enriches a unit introduced in [5] and further studied in [6,8,9] named as TABS, acronym of tensegrity Al Bahar screen, because of its shape resembling that of shading systems designed by Aedas architects to protect the external fac ¸ades of the Al Bahar towers, in Abu Dhabi [10,11]. While Al Bahar screen are piston actuated, motion of TABS depends on its tensegrity architecture.…”