| Tensegrity can be defined as a network consisting of isolated compression members (rigid bars) and continuous tension members (cables). These years, tensegrity is a pop topic in many a research field such as building structure, aviation, medicine and so on. But the research and technology are comparatively deficient in our country. This paper presents a study of tensegrity towers.Multi-stage tensegrity towers are formed with simple prism modules which can grow up vertically according special rules. Each stage of tower is a prism module, so we should know the configure property of prism module before the study of consisting rules of towers.Prestresses must be applied to tensergrity, which is a sort of flexible structure, to keep its configuration super stable. So form-finding is the major problem, to find the special geometry and prestressable condition of equilibrium. In this paper, mathematic and structural software computation are combined in a methodology in further study of prism modules, two stage tower, multi-stage tower aimed at finding the geometry and forces of configuration and the effect of different prestresses.There are several methods for form-finding of tensegrity. This paper applies these methods which are found in former researches to solutions of equilibrium condition of tensegrity towers as examples. Optimization and force density methods are used in analysis of prism modules; energy method in analysis of towers. Sorts of symmetry assumption for reduction of analysis have been applied. And then, structural software SAP is used to do the numerical simulation. The numerical simulation has proved the correction of the result of mathematic analyse. Simultaneously, we found that we can get the tensegrity to equilibrium by apply prestress on one single cable or several cables. After prestresses, the quantity of the prestress will not change the force ratios of all cables. That means it is possible to deploy the whole tensegrity by controlling one or several cables. |
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