Tensegrity frameworks: Dynamic analysis review and open problems

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is twofold. First, to conclude the overview about tensegrity frameworks, started by the same authors in a previous work, covering the most important dynamic aspects of such structures. Here, the most common approaches to tensegrity dynamic modeling used so far are presented, giving the most important results about their dynamic behavior under external action.Also, the main underlying problems are identified which allow the authors to give a clear picture of the main research lines currently open, as well as the most relevant contributions in each of them, which is in fact the second main objective of this paper. From the extensive literature available on the subject, four main areas have been identified: design and form-finding methods which deal with the problem of finding stable configurations, shape changing algorithms which deal with the problem of finding stable trajectories between them and, also control algorithms which take into account the dynamic model of the tensegrity structure and possible external perturbations to achieve the desired goal and performance.Finally, some applications of such structures are presented emphasizing the increasing interest of the scientific community on tensegrity structures.

Analysis of clustered tensegrity structures using a modified dynamic relaxation algorithm

“…Tensegrities are spatial, reticulated and lightweight structures that are composed of struts and cables. Stability is provided by the self-stress state in tensioned and compressed elements (Juan and Mirats Tur, 2008;Mirats Tur and Hernàndez Juan, 2009). The tensegrity concept has applications in fields such as sculpture, architecture, aerospace engineering, civil engineering, marine engineering and biology .…”

Structure synthesis and statics analysis of a foldable stair

“…Therefore, deployable structures were widely investigated in the late 20th century. The deployable concept was coined by Fuller in the early 1960s [2] and was initially used to the movable theater in the 1960s by Pienro, an architect from Spain [3,4]. From the viewpoint of mechanism theory, the deployable structures were probed as early as the 19th century by Sarrus, Bricard, and in the early 20th century by Bennett et al [5].…”

Determining control strategies for damage tolerance of an active tensegrity structure

“…Most studies found in the literature investigated form-finding [8][9][10][11][12] and design characteristics of tensegrity structures [13][14][15][16]. Statics and dynamics of simple tensegrity modules have also been investigated [17][18][19].…”