Tensegrity
Structural Systems for the Future
By- René Motro, Head of the Civil & Mechanical Engineering Laboratory and of the "Lightweight Structures for Architecture" research team at the School of Architecture Languedoc Roussillon, both at University Montpellier II
The word tensegrity results from the contraction of tensional and integrity, a word created by Richard Buckminster Fuller. He went on to describe tensegrity structures as islands of compression in an ocean of tension, and René Motro has developed a comprehensive definition which is systems in a stable self equilibriated system comprising a discontinuous set of compressed components inside a continuum of tensioned components. This publication represents the life work of a leading exponent of a revolutionary and exciting method of structural design.
Audience
Civil and structural engineers, architects, artists, designers, and researchers and students of related disciplines
Hardbound, 280 Pages
Published: June 2003
Imprint: Butterworth Heinemann
ISBN: 978-1-903996-37-9
Contents
- 1. Introduction2. History and definitions2-1. Introduction2-2. History2-3. Definitions2-4. Conclusion3. Fundamental concepts3-1. Introduction3-2. Relational structure3-3. Geometry and stability3-4. Selfstress states and mechanisms3-5. Conclusion4. Typologies4-1. Introduction4-2. Typology criteria and codification4-3. Elementary cells or spherical cells4-4. Assemblies of cells4-5. Conclusion5. Models5-1. Introduction5-2. Problems to solve5-3. Form finding5-4. Selfstress and mechanisms5-5. Selftress qualification5-6. Designing tensegrity systems5-7. Active control5-8. Conclusion6. Foldable tensegrities6-1. Introduction6-2. Folding principle6-3. Foldable modules6-4. Foldable assemblies6-5. Folding design6-6. Simulation of the folding process6-7. Modelling the contact of two struts6-8. Conclusion7. Tensegrity: Latest And future developments7-1. Introduction7-2. New tensegrity grids7-3. Other projects7-4. Tensegrity as a structural principle7-5. Conclusion8. Bibliography9. Appendices
