Concept

Tensegrity

Related publications (21)

Constrained Form-Finding of Tension-Compression Structures using Automatic Differentiation

This paper proposes a computational approach to form-find pin-jointed bar structures subjected to combinations of tension and compression forces. The generated equilibrium states can meet structural and geometrical constraints via gradient-based optimizati ...

ELSEVIER SCI LTD2023

Electro-Adhesive Tubular Clutch for Variable-Stiffness Robots

Dario Floreano, Yi Sun, Krishna Manaswi Digumarti, Hoang Vu Phan, Omar Aloui

Electro-adhesive clutches have become effective tools for variable stiffness functions in many robotic systems due to their light weight, high speed and strong brake force. In this paper, we present a novel, tubular design of an electro-adhesive clutch. Ou ...

IEEE2022

Minimal mass design of active tensegrity structures

Yafeng Wang

Tensegrity structures have been widely utilized as lightweight structures due to their high stiffness-to-mass and strength-to-mass ratios. Minimal mass design of tensegrity structures subject to external loads and specific constraints (e.g., member yieldin ...

ELSEVIER SCI LTD2021

Form-finding of tensegrity structures via rank minimization of force density matrix

Yafeng Wang

This study proposes a general computational framework for the form-finding of tensegrity structures. The procedure is divided into two stages in which the member force densities and nodal coordinates are obtained respectively. In the first stage, the deter ...

ELSEVIER SCI LTD2021

Design of adaptive structures through energy minimization: extension to tensegrity

Gennaro Senatore, Yafeng Wang

This paper gives a new formulation to design adaptive structures through total energy optimization (TEO). This methodology enables the design of truss as well as tensegrity configurations that are equipped with linear actuators to counteract the effect of ...

2021

Variable-stiffness tensegrity spine

Dario Floreano, Davide Zappetti, Enrico Ajanic, Roc Arandes Vilagrasa

Vertebrates, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, with their ability to change the stiffness of the spine to increase load-bearing capability or flexibility, have inspired roboticists to develop artificial variable-stiffness spines. However, ...

2020

Topology-Finding of Tensegrity Structures Considering Global Stability Condition

Yafeng Wang

This study proposes a general framework for topology-finding or topology optimization of tensegrity structures. The existing topology-finding formulation of tensegrity structures based on mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) was improved and transformed ...

2020

Bio-Inspired Tensegrity Fish Robot

Dario Floreano, Jun Shintake, Davide Zappetti

This paper presents a method to create fish-like robots with tensegrity systems and describes a prototype modeled on the body shape of the rainbow trout with a length of 400 mm and a mass of 102 g that is driven by a waterproof servomotor. The structure of ...

IEEE2020

Phase Changing Materials-Based Variable-Stiffness Tensegrity Structures

Dario Floreano, Jun Shintake, Davide Zappetti

Soft robots leverage deformable bodies to achieve different types of locomotion, improve transportability, and safely navigate cluttered environments. In this context, variable-stiffness structures provide soft robots with additional properties, such as th ...

2020

Bio-inspired Tensegrity Soft Modular Robots

Dario Floreano, Stefano Mintchev, Jun Shintake, Davide Zappetti

In this paper, we introduce a design principle to develop novel soft modular robots based on tensegrity structures and inspired by the cytoskeleton of living cells. We describe a novel strategy to realize tensegrity structures using planar manufacturing te ...

Springer2017

Joint Friction during Deployment of a Near-Full-Scale Tensegrity Footbridge

Ian Smith, Ann Christine Sychterz

Most deployable structures, such as operable roofs and masts, move over one degree of freedom. This paper describes a structure that involves loosely coupled movement over several degrees of freedom. Analysis models of these structures are typically inaccu ...

American Society of Civil Engineers2017

Active control for mid-span connection of a deployable tensegrity footbridge

Ian Smith, Nicolas Willy Veuve, Seif Dalil Safaei

Tensegrity structures are spatial self-stressed pin jointed structures where compression components (struts) are surrounded by tension elements. This paper describes a near full-scale deployable tensegrity footbridge that deploys from both sides and connec ...

2016

Deployment of a tensegrity footbridge

Ian Smith, Nicolas Willy Veuve, Seif Dalil Safaei

Deployable structures are structures that transform their shape from a compact state to an extended in-service position. Structures composed of tension elements that surround compression elements in equilibrium are called tensegrity structures. Tensegritie ...

Asce-Amer Soc Civil Engineers2015

A deployable tensegrity footbridge that connects at mid-span

Ian Smith, Nicolas Willy Veuve, Seif Dalil Safaei

This paper describes a near full-scale deployable tensegrity footbridge that deploys from both sides and connects at mid-span. Tensegrity structures are pre-stressed structures composed of tension elements (cables) surrounded by compression elements (strut ...

2015

Mid-span connection of a deployable tensegrity footbridge

Ian Smith, Nicolas Willy Veuve, Seif Dalil Safaei

This paper describes a near full-scale deployable tensegrity footbridge. Tensegrity structures are pre-stressed structures composed of tension elements (cables) surrounded by compression elements (struts) in equilibrium. Deployment of two bridge halves is ...

2015

Design Aspects of a Deployable Tensegrity-Hollow-rope Footbridge

Ian Smith, Nizar Bel Hadj Ali, Landolf-Giosef-Anastasios Rhode-Barbarigos, René Motro

Tensegrity structures are composed of cables and struts in a prestressed self-equilibrium. Although tensegrity first appeared in the 1950s, it is seldom used in civil engineering. This paper focuses on the design aspects of a deployable tensegrity-hollow-r ...

2012

An Active Deployable Tensegrity Structure

Landolf-Giosef-Anastasios Rhode-Barbarigos

Tensegrity structures are spatial reticulated structures composed of cables and struts. Their stability is provided by a self-stress state among tensioned and compressed members. Although much progress has been made in advancing research into the tensegrit ...

EPFL2012

Deployment of a Pentagonal Hollow-Rope Tensegrity Module

Ian Smith, Nizar Bel Hadj Ali, Landolf-Giosef-Anastasios Rhode-Barbarigos, René Motro

Tensegrity structures are spatial reticulated structures composed of cables and struts. Tensegrity systems are good candidates for adaptive and deployable structures and thus have applications in various engineering fields. A “hollow-rope” tensegrity syste ...

2011

Analysis of clustered tensegrity structures using a modified dynamic relaxation algorithm

Ian Smith, Nizar Bel Hadj Ali, Landolf-Giosef-Anastasios Rhode-Barbarigos

Tensegrities are spatial, reticulated and lightweight structures that are increasingly investigated as structural solutions for active and deployable structures. Tensegrity systems are composed only of axially loaded elements and this provides opportunitie ...

Elsevier2011

Designing tensegrity modules for pedestrian bridges

Ian Smith, Nizar Bel Hadj Ali, Landolf-Giosef-Anastasios Rhode-Barbarigos, René Motro

Tensegrity systems are spatial structures composed of tensile and compression components in a self-equilibrated state of prestress. The tensegrity concept has already been studied by researchers in various fields over the past decades. A family of tensegri ...

Elsevier2010