Tensegrity

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.

• Represents the life work of a leading exponent of a revolutionary and exciting method of structural design
• Applicable to architecture as an established structural system, can also be applied to other fields
• Design professionals will be able to design better structures. Interested non-professionals will experience the great pleasure of being able to say "I understand why the Hisshorn tower stands up"

Civil and structural engineers, architects, artists, designers, and researchers and students of related disciplines

1. Introduction 2. History and definitions 2-1. Introduction 2-2. History 2-3. Definitions 2-4. Conclusion 3. Fundamental concepts 3-1. Introduction 3-2. Relational structure 3-3. Geometry and stability 3-4. Selfstress states and mechanisms 3-5. Conclusion 4. Typologies 4-1. Introduction 4-2. Typology criteria and codification 4-3. Elementary cells or “spherical cells” 4-4. Assemblies of cells 4-5. Conclusion 5. Models 5-1. Introduction 5-2. Problems to solve 5-3. Form finding 5-4. Selfstress and mechanisms 5-5. Selftress qualification 5-6. Designing tensegrity systems 5-7. Active control 5-8. Conclusion 6. Foldable tensegrities 6-1. Introduction 6-2. Folding principle 6-3. Foldable modules 6-4. Foldable assemblies 6-5. Folding design 6-6. Simulation of the folding process 6-7. Modelling the contact of two struts 6-8. Conclusion 7. Tensegrity: Latest And future developments 7-1. Introduction 7-2. New tensegrity grids 7-3. Other projects 7-4. Tensegrity as a structural principle 7-5. Conclusion 8. Bibliography 9. Appendices