Tensegrity structures for the Hellenic Maritime Museum

p. 2233-2242Tensegrity structures composed of masts and cables bear similarities and carry metaphoric associations to nautical equipment and structures. Such metaphors have suggested the use of the tensegrity concept in the design of the lightweight structures for the Hellenic Maritime Museum. Two different types of lightweight structures have been studied. At an early design stage scaled models of existing tensegrity configurations were considered, and subsequently several new tensegrity configurations have been developed and studied. Morphological variations of tensegrity structures that occur from the assembly of new units have also been studied. A canopy structure composed of prismatic tensegrity units of irregular geometry with an attached membrane and a large space enclosing tensegrity structure have been developed. The paper presents and discusses the configuration of the two tensegrity structures for the maritime museum and the challenges encountered in their geometric & structural design.Liapi, KA. (2010). Tensegrity structures for the Hellenic Maritime Museum. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/727

Tensegrity unit, structure and method for construction

Tensegrity units may be used to form a tensegrity structure. Each tensegrity unit may include n face tension members, n continuous tension members, and n compression members. A bracket for the tensegrity unit may allow for adjustment of position of portions of the tension members when the tensegrity unit is not in a deployed state. The tension members may be coupled to the tensegrity unit so that there are no loose tension member ends. The unit may be deployed from a collapsed state by positioning the compression members and tension members in a proper orientation and adjusting the length of at least one compression member. Adjusting the length of at least the one compression member may allow tension to be applied to each tension member. A tensegrity structure may be formed from tensegrity units by joining a number of tensegrity units together.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste