INDEX

 Introduction
 Concept of tensegrity
 Principle
 Advantages
 Disadvantages
 Benefits of tensegrity
 Classes of tensegrity
 Structural applications
 Case study
 Conclusion
 references
INTRODUCTION
 The word “Tensegrity” is a contraction of the phrase “Tensional Integrity”. It
was first coined by Buckminster Fuller in 1962 .
 Tensegrity structures are 3-D trusses where members are assigned specific
functions where some members are in tension , while others are always in
compression .
 Usually for compressive members , solid sections or bars are used and
whereas for tensile members string or cable type elements can be used .
 Generally Tensegrity structure is defined as : “The geometry of a material
system is in a stable equilibrium if all particles in the material system return to
this geometry , as times goes to infinity, starting from any initial position
arbitrarily close to this geometry” .
 CONCEPT OF TENSEGRITY
Tensegrity structures are structures based on the combination of a
few simple design patterns .
 Loading members are only in pure compression or pure tension ,
meaning the structure will only fail if the cables yield or the rods
buckle .
 Preload or tensional pre-stressed which allows cables to be rigid
in tension .
 Mechanical stability which allows the members to remain in
tension/compression as stress on the structure increases .
Because of these patterns , no structural member experiences a
bending moment . This can produce exceptionally rigid structures
for their mass and for the cross section of the components .
 PRINCIPLE
 Tensegrity is a pattern that results when “push” and “pull “ have a win-win
relationship with each other .

 Pull is continuous whereas push is discontinuous .

 The struts can resist compressive force and the cables cannot .

 A tensegrity structure’s struts cannot be attaches to each other through joints

that impart torques .

 Only cable strut configurations in a stable equilibrium will be called as

tensegrity structures .
ADVANTAGES
 Construction of towers, bridges, domes, etc will make them highly resilient and
very economical .

 They don’t suffer any kind of torque or torsion, and buckling is very rare due to the
short length of their components in compression .

 These structures vibrate readily means that they are transferring loads very rapidly,
so the loads cannot become local .

 This is very useful in terms of absorption of shocks and seismic vibrations. Thus, they
would be desirable in areas where earthquakes are a problem .

 For large tensegrity constructions, the process would be relatively easy to carry
out, since the structure is self-scaffolding .
 DISADVANTAGES
 Tensegrity arrangements need to solve the problem of bar congestion . As
some designs become larger, the strut start running into each other.

 Spherical and domical structures are complex, which can lead to problems
in production .

 There was a lack of design and analysis techniques for these structures .

 In order to support critical loads, the pre-stress forces should be high

enough, which could be difficult in larger-size constructions .
BASIC STRUCTURES OF TENSEGRITY
BENEFITS OF TENSEGRITY
 Tension stabilizes the structure .

 Tensegrity structures are Efficient .

 Tensegrity structures are deployable .

 Tensegrity structures are easily tunable .

 Tensegrity structures can be more Reliably Modelled .

 Tensegrity structures can perform multiple Functions .

A. NEEDLE TOWER B. GEORGIA DOME
 CLASSES OF TENSEGRITY
 3-Bar SVD class 1 Tensegrity :
A typical two-stage 3-bar SVD Tensegrity is that in which the bars of the
bottom stage are twisted in the counter-clockwise direction. These tensegrities
are constructed by using all three types of strings, saddle strings(S), vertical
strings(V), and the diagonal strings(D), hence the name SVD Tensegrity .
 3-Bar SD class 1 Tensegrity :
These types of tensegrities are constructed by eliminating the vertical strings to
obtain a stable equilibrium with the minimal number of strings. Thus, a SD-type
Tensegrity has only saddle(S) and the diagonal strings(D) .
 3-Bar SS class 2 Tensegrity :
In a class 2 Tensegrity, a maximum of 2 bars are connected with a ball joint .
REPRESENTATION OF STRINGS
STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS
 Proposals for Towers .

 Lightning conductors .

 Communications .

 Wind Parks .

 Aesthetic Elements .

 Roof Structures .

 Outer Space Structures .

 Smart Structures .

 Bridges .
ROOF STRUCTURES USING TENSEGRITY
Kurilpa Bridge , Australia
SMART STRUCTURES USING TENSEGRITY
CASE STUDY
THE SKYLON,
 The Skylon was a futuristic-looking, slender, vertical steel tensegrity structure
located in London and architected by Philip powell and Hidalgo Moya was
built in 1951, which gave the illusion of ‘floating’ above the ground and was
selected as the best proposal .
 The Skylon was the “vertical Feature” consisted of a steel latticework frame,
pointed at both ends and supported on cables slung between three steel
beams . The base was nearly 15m from the ground, with the top nearly 90m
high. The frame was clad in aluminium louvres lit from within at night .
 Six cables, three at each end, hold the tower in position . The three cables
connected to the bottom define its location . The other three cables are simply
kept vertical .
 As long as the angle between any two cables is smaller than 180deg, the
position of the rod is well defined .
THE SKYLON
 CONCLUSION
 Tensegrity structures present a remarkable blend of geometry and
mechanics. Out of various available combinations of geometrical
parameters, only a small subset exists that guarantees the existence of the
tensegrity .
 The analysis of tensegrity structures reveals the concept that lightweight is a
real measure of structural effectiveness .
 Tensegrity structures promise to be highly efficient in the ratio of material to
both performance and maintenance .
 Investigations on foldable tensegrity structures are under process. As a result
of which they could be used for disaster relief in areas devastated by
earthquakes,hurricanes,floods and so on, installing deployable systems in
the form of temporal dwellings,bridges,field hospitals, etc .
REFERENCES
 www.google.com
 www.wikiped.com
 www.Civilenggseminar.blogspot.in
THANK YOU