PARAMETRIC MODELLING AND FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF A TENSEGRITY STRUCTURE

Abstract

In the introductory part of the paper, general aspects related to tensegrity structures are briefly presented. Next is presented the principle model of the adopted tensegrity structure and the parameters used in its CAD modelling. The calculations included in the paper allow the determination of the axial forces in the wires of the structure and the conditions in which it retains its tensegrity structure character. Using a virtual model of the structure, corresponding to a set of modelling parameters, in the part dedicated to finite element analysis are determined both the axial force in the wires of the structure and the stresses in its other members. The end part of the paper contains observations and conclusions.

Keywords

• Tensegrity
• CAD modelling
• parametric modelling
• virtual model
• finite element analysis