Designing tensegrity modules for pedestrian bridges

Abstract

Tensegrity systems are spatial structures composed of tensile and compression components in a selfequilibrated state of prestress. The tensegrity concept has already been studied by researchers in various fields over the past decades. A family of tensegrity modules that can offer promising solutions for civil engineering applications such as tensegrity domes, towers and bridges is analyzed. Research into tensegrity systems has resulted in reliable techniques for form finding and structural analysis. However, the tensegrity concept is not yet part of mainstream structural design. This paper presents a design study of a tensegrity-based pedestrian bridge. Structural performance of the bridge using three tensegrity modules is evaluated through parametric studies. Design requirements for pedestrian bridges and results of parametric studies are used to define a design procedure that optimizes section sizes for this type of structure. A structural efficiency indicator is proposed and used to compare proposals for feasible bridge configurations. Design results illustrate that the hollow-rope tensegrity bridge can efficiently meet typical design criteria.

Mechanism-Based Approach for the Deployment of a Tensegrity-Ring Module

“…Moreover, the study of the kinematic and static properties of pre-stressed ring modules revealed that the pentagon module has no infinitesimal mechanisms and six independent states of self-stress. Furthermore, the pentagonal ring module was found to be structurally the most efficient module for the tensegrity footbridge application based on a structural efficiency index (Rhode-Barbarigos et al 2010a). Therefore, the pentagonal ring module was chosen as the elementary module for the deployable tensegrity bridge.…”

“…Although tensegrity rings are composed of a single strut circuit, their deployment can be completed without strut collision. The "hollow rope" concept shows promise for architecture and civil engineering applications such as pedestrian bridges (Rhode-Barbarigos et al 2010b;Rhode-Barbarigos et al 2010a). However, its application for a deployable footbridge has not been explored.…”

Configuration of control system for damage tolerance of a tensegrity bridge

“…The bridge is composed of four ring-shaped tensegrity modules spanning 16m [25]. Symmetry about midspan is obtained by mirroring two modules.…”

Determining control strategies for damage tolerance of an active tensegrity structure

“…Design optimization of the tensegrity bridge was performed using member dimensions and selfstress level as design variables [43]. Struts were separated into two design groups: diagonal and intermediate struts.…”

“…A side view of the tensegrity bridge is given in Figure 1. The bridge was composed of four ringshaped tensegrity modules spanning 20m [16,43]. Symmetry about midspan was obtained by mirroring two modules.…”