Abstract:
Tensegrity structures are based on a set of discontinuous compressible elements within a network of continuous tension
elements, with isolated compressed elements (struts or bars) and prestressed tension elements (tendons or cables) that form a
stable network. They are dominated by tensile elements, while more material-intensive compression elements are minimized.
Tensegrity structures fail mainly due to low material efficiency, member instability, and excessive deflections when compared
to rigid structures made with slender elements. The spatial geometry, axial stiffness, member layout, and connectivity of
tensegrity structures directly affect the type of structural failure, including strength, instability, and stiffness. This paper
presents a systematic parametric study on overall axial stiffness variation of the 3-bar tensegrity prism to check the effect
of the level of prestressing and other geometric parameters such as the height of the tensegrity cell, type of the tensegrity
cell (no. of compression members), radius of the tensegrity cell, area of the cables & struts, twisted angle of the top and
bottom cable tringles and the point load acting on nodes. Parametric modeling and structural analyses were conducted in
the Karamba 3D structural environment in-built with the Rhinoceros & Grasshopper 3D software.