2018/12/05 by Omar Aloui, Jessica Flores, David Orden +2 · 1 citation
Computer Science · Engineering · Mathematics · #Advanced Materials and Mechanics #Architecture and Computational Design #Biology #Combinatorics #Computer science #Engineering #Flexibility (engineering) #Mathematics #Morphogenesis #Rigidity (electromagnetism) #Structural Analysis and Optimization #Structural engineering #Tensegrity #Topology (electrical circuits) #cs.CG #cs.DM
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.cma.2018.10.048
published as Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering. Volume 346, 1 April 2019, Pages 85-108 · 31 pages, 17 figures
openalex publication_date 2018/12/05 · crossref created 2018/12/05 · arxiv created 2019/02/15 · arxiv updated 2019/02/27 · crossref issued 2019/04/01 · crossref published 2019/04/01 · crossref published-print 2019/04/01 · crossref deposited 2025/09/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/03/13 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
The topology and form finding of tensegrity structures have been studied extensively since the introduction of the tensegrity concept. However, most of these studies address topology and form separately, where the former represented a research focus of rigidity theory and graph theory, while the latter attracted the attention of structural engineers. In this paper, a biomimetic approach for the combined topology and form finding of spatial tensegrity systems is introduced. Tensegrity cells, elementary infinitesimally rigid self-stressed structures that have been proven to compose any tensegrity, are used to generate more complex tensegrity structures through the morphogenesis mechanisms of adhesion and fusion. A methodology for constructing a basis to describe the self-stress space is also provided. Through the definition of self-stress, the cellular morphogenesis method can integrate design considerations, such as a desired shape or number of nodes and members, providing great flexibility and control over the tensegrity structure generated.