CONCEPT OF MODULARIZED HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURES AND THEIR MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

摘要

This paper describes a concept, models and some mechanical properties of the modularized hierarchical structures. Typical disadvantages of modularized structures are following two points. First, they increase their weights because they possess many duplicated members. Second, they increase their degrees of freedom so that they complicate their systems. We introduce the hierarchical concept to avoid these disadvantages, and propose some models of modularized hierarchical structures. A method of construction of these models is described. Finally we show that mechanical properties of modularized hierarchical structures are reflected on their geometrical features.