The obstacle problem in no-tension structures and cable nets. (25th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amendola, Ada; Mattei, Ornella; Milton, Graeme W.; Seppecher, Pierre
• Is Part Of: Proceedings. Volume 479:Number 2269(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01-25
• Subjects: force networks -- truss structures -- no-tension response -- limit analysis; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; Engineering -- Periodicals; Mathematics -- Periodicals; 500
• DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2022.0229
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-5021

Abstract

Abstract : We consider the problem of finding a net that supports prescribed point forces, yet avoids certain obstacles, with all the elements of the net being under compression (or all being under tension), and being confined within a suitable bounding box. In the case of masonry structures, when described through the simple, no-tension constitutive model, this consists, for instance, in finding a strut net that supports the forces, is contained within the physical structure, and avoids regions that may be not accessible. We solve such a problem in the two-dimensional case, where the prescribed forces are applied at the vertices of a convex polygon, and we treat the cases of both single and multiple obstacles. By approximating the obstacles by polygonal regions, the task reduces to identifying the feasible domain in a linear programming problem. For a single obstacle we show how the region Γ available to the obstacle can be enlarged as much as possible in the sense that there is no other strut net, having a region Γ ′ available to the obstacle with Γ ⊂ Γ ′ . The case where some of the forces are reactive is also treated.