The Z-octahedron family: A new tensegrity family. (1st November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fernández-Ruiz, Manuel Alejandro; Hernández-Montes, Enrique; Gil-Martín, Luisa María
• Is Part Of: Engineering structures. Volume 222(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11-01
• Subjects: Tensegrity -- Z-Octahedron family -- Octahedron family -- Analytical form-finding -- Force density method; Structural engineering -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Construction, Technique de la -- Périodiques; Génie parasismique -- Périodiques; Pression du vent -- Périodiques; Earthquake engineering; Structural engineering; Wind-pressure; Periodicals; 624.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.111151
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-0296

Abstract

Highlights: A new family of tensegrity structures is presented: the Z-octahedron family. An analytical form-finding method is used to obtain super-stable tensegrities. The Z-double-expanded octahedron can be defined by geometrical intuition from a truncated cube. Abstract: A new family of tensegrity structures is presented: the Z-octahedron family. A tensegrity family is a group of tensegrity structures that share a common connectivity pattern. The members of the Z-octahedron family have been obtained replacing the elementary rhombic cells of the members of the octahedron family with elementary Z-shaped cells. In addition, a higher number of possible force density or force:length ratio values have been considered. The values of the force:length ratio of the members of the family that lead to super-stable tensegrity forms have been computed analytically. Two members of the family have been obtained: the Z-expanded octahedron and the Z-double-expanded octahedron. Finally it has been proved that the Z-double-expanded octahedron obtained here from topological rules can also be defined from a truncated cube based on purely geometrical intuition.