Mechanical response of a tensegrity structure close to its integrity limit submitted to external constraints

摘要

The response to an external constraint of a symmetrical tensegrity structure made of elastic and rigid elements has been studied by numerical experiments. Two non-linear effects have been found when the structure is close to its integrity limit above which it collapses. The first one is that the mechanical power response of the tensegrity structure can be modulated according to the magnitude of the applied force. This effect indicates that the structure may act as a mechanical power amplifier. The second one is that a slightly prestressed tensegrity structure can offer a greater resilience to an applied force than more prestressed equivalent structures. This paradoxical stiffening effect indicates that increasing the prestress may not always be the most efficient way to keep the stability of the structure. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.