Deployable structures are prefabricated space frames consisting of straight bars linked together in the factory as a compact bundle, which can then be unfolded into large-span, load bearing structural shapes by simple articulation. Because of this feature they offer significant advantages in comparison to conventional, non-deployable structures for a wide spectrum of applications ranging from temporary structures to the aerospace industry, being mainly characterized by their feature of transforming and adapting to changing needs. Because of their numerous advantages deployable structures have been investigated, designed and constructed by many engineers (Refs 1-5). The concept as well as the geometric and structural characteristics of the type of deployable structures considered here are the product of research work carried out since 1985 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Technion in Israel and the National Technical University of Athens by several investigators (Refs 6-10), who succeeded in converting the early ideas into a feasible type of structure. The main findings of this work are included in a recent book (Ref 11).
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