58 research outputs found
Generation of planar tensegrity structures through cellular multiplication
Tensegrity structures are frameworks in a stable self-equilibrated prestress
state that have been applied in various fields in science and engineering.
Research into tensegrity structures has resulted in reliable techniques for
their form finding and analysis. However, most techniques address topology and
form separately. This paper presents a bio-inspired approach for the combined
topology identification and form finding of planar tensegrity structures.
Tensegrity structures are generated using tensegrity cells (elementary stable
self-stressed units that have been proven to compose any tensegrity structure)
according to two multiplication mechanisms: cellular adhesion and fusion.
Changes in the dimension of the self-stress space of the structure are found to
depend on the number of adhesion and fusion steps conducted as well as on the
interaction among the cells composing the system. A methodology for defining a
basis of the self-stress space is also provided. Through the definition of the
equilibrium shape, the number of nodes and members as well as the number of
self-stress states, the cellular multiplication method can integrate design
considerations, providing great flexibility and control over the tensegrity
structure designed and opening the door to the development of a whole new realm
of planar tensegrity systems with controllable characteristics.Comment: 29 pages, 19 figures, to appear at Applied Mathematical Modelin
Design of tensegrity structures using parametric analysis and stochastic search
Tensegrity structures are lightweight structures composed of cables in tension and struts in compression. Since tensegrity systems exhibit geometrically nonlinear behavior, finding optimal structural designs is difficult. This paper focuses on the use of stochastic search for the design of tensegrity systems. A pedestrian bridge made of square hollow-rope tensegrity ring modules is studied. Two design methods are compared in this paper. Both methods aim to find the minimal cost solution. The first method approximates current practice in design offices. More specifically, parametric analysis that is similar to a gradient-based optimization is used to identify good designs. Parametric studies are executed for each system parameter in order to identify its influence on response. The second method uses a stochastic search strategy called probabilistic global search Lausanne. Both methods provide feasible configurations that meet civil engineering criteria of safety and serviceability. Parametric studies also help in defining search parameters such as appropriate penalty costs to enforce constraints while optimizing using stochastic search. Traditional design methods are useful to gain an understanding of structural behavior. However, due to the many local minima in the solution space, stochastic search strategies find better solutions than parametric studie
Cellular morphogenesis of three-dimensional tensegrity structures
The topology and form finding of tensegrity structures have been studied
extensively since the introduction of the tensegrity concept. However, most of
these studies address topology and form separately, where the former
represented a research focus of rigidity theory and graph theory, while the
latter attracted the attention of structural engineers. In this paper, a
biomimetic approach for the combined topology and form finding of spatial
tensegrity systems is introduced. Tensegrity cells, elementary infinitesimally
rigid self-stressed structures that have been proven to compose any tensegrity,
are used to generate more complex tensegrity structures through the
morphogenesis mechanisms of adhesion and fusion. A methodology for constructing
a basis to describe the self-stress space is also provided. Through the
definition of self-stress, the cellular morphogenesis method can integrate
design considerations, such as a desired shape or number of nodes and members,
providing great flexibility and control over the tensegrity structure
generated.Comment: 31 pages, 17 figure
Design of tensegrity structures using parametric analysis and stochastic search.
The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00366-009-0154-1Tensegrity structures are lightweight structures composed of cables in tension and struts in compression. Since tensegrity systems exhibit geometrically nonlinear behavior, finding optimal structural designs is difficult. This paper focuses on the use of stochastic search for the design of tensegrity systems. A pedestrian bridge made of square hollow-rope tensegrity ring modules is studied. Two design methods are compared in this paper. Both methods aim to find the minimal cost solution. The first method approximates current practice in design offices. More specifically, parametric analysis that is similar to a gradient-based optimization is used to identify good designs. Parametric studies are executed for each system parameter in order to identify its influence on response. The second method uses a stochastic search strategy called probabilistic global search Lausanne. Both methods provide feasible configurations that meet civil engineering criteria of safety and serviceability. Parametric studies also help in defining search parameters such as appropriate penalty costs to enforce constraints while optimizing using stochastic search. Traditional design methods are useful to gain an understanding of structural behavior. However, due to the many local minima in the solution space, stochastic search strategies find better solutions than parametric studies.Swiss National Science Foundatio
Analysis of self-equilibrated networks through cellular modeling
Network equilibrium models represent a versatile tool for the analysis of
interconnected objects and their relationships. They have been widely employed
in both science and engineering to study the behavior of complex systems under
various conditions, including external perturbations and damage. In this paper,
network equilibrium models are revisited through graph-theory laws and
attributes with special focus on systems that can sustain equilibrium in the
absence of external perturbations (self-equilibrium). A new approach for the
analysis of self-equilibrated networks is proposed; they are modeled as a
collection of cells, predefined elementary network units that have been
mathematically shown to compose any self-equilibrated network. Consequently,
the equilibrium state of complex self-equilibrated systems can be obtained
through the study of individual cell equilibria and their interactions. A
series of examples that highlight the flexibility of network equilibrium models
are included in the paper. The examples attest how the proposed approach, which
combines topological as well as geometrical considerations, can be used to
decipher the state of complex systems.Comment: 38 pages, 23 figure
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Literature Review on Modeling and Simulation of Energy Infrastructures from a Resilience Perspective
Recent years have witnessed an increasing frequency of disasters, both natural and human-induced. This applies pressure to critical infrastructures (CIs). Among all the CI sectors, the energy infrastructure plays a critical role, as almost all other CIs depend on it. In this paper, 30 energy infrastructure models dedicated for the modeling and simulation of power or natural gas networks are collected and reviewed using the emerging concept of resilience. Based on the review, typical modeling approaches for energy infrastructure resilience problems are summarized and compared. The authors, then, propose five indicators for evaluating a resilience model; namely, catering to different stakeholders, intervening in development phases, dedicating to certain stressor and failure, taking into account different interdependencies, and involving socio-economic characteristics. As a supplement, other modeling features such as data needs and time scale are further discussed. Finally, the paper offers observations of existing energy infrastructure models as well as future trends for energy infrastructure modeling.
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Exploring Coral Reef Restoration for Wave-Energy Dissipation through Experimental Laboratory Testing
Design Aspects of a Deployable Tensegrity-Hollow-rope Footbridge
Tensegrity structures are composed of cables and struts in a prestressed self-equilibrium. Although tensegrity first appeared in the 1950s, it is seldom used in civil engineering. This paper focuses on the design aspects of a deployable tensegrity-hollow-rope footbridge. Deployment is usually not a critical design case for traditional deployable structures. However, for tensegrity systems deployment may be critical due to the actuation required. In this paper, deployment is investigated in a general design framework. The influence of clustered (continuous) cables and spring elements in statics and dynamics is studied. Finally, actuation schemes are explored to identify cases where deployment becomes a critical design case. For this configuration, deployment is a critical design case when the structure has spring elements and continuous cables
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