Parametric Analysis of Tensegrity Plate-Like Structures: Part 1—Qualitative Analysis

• Main Authors: Paulina Obara, Justyna Tomasik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-10-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: tensegrity; singular value decomposition (SVD); spectral analysis; self-stress state; infinitesimal mechanism; modified Quartex
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/20/7042

The study includes parametric analysis of special spatial rod grids called tensegrity plate-like structures. Tensegrity structures consist of only compression and tension components arranged in a system, whose unique mechanical and mathematical properties distinguish them from conventional cable–strut frameworks. Complete analysis of tensegrity structures is a two-stage process. The first stage includes the identification of self-stress states and infinitesimal mechanisms (qualitative analysis). The second stage focuses on the behaviour of tensegrities under external loads (quantitative analysis). In the paper, a qualitative analysis of tensegrity plate-like structures built with modified Quartex modules was conducted. Starting from a single-module structure, more complex cases were sequentially analysed. The different ways of plate support were considered. To carry out a qualitative assessment, a spectral analysis of the truss matrices and singular value decomposition of the compatibility matrix were used. The characteristic features of tensegrity structures were identified. On this basis, the plates were classified into one of the four groups defined in the paper, i.e., ideal tensegrity, “pure” tensegrity and structures with tensegrity features of class 1 or class 2. This classification is important due to different behaviours of the structure under external actions. The qualitative analysis carried out in the paper is the basis for a quantitative analysis.