Architects are constantly looking for new methods to create large indoor spaces unhindered by columns and other supports. Tensile and cable-strut structures are one method of producing such spaces. They also enable the creation of different shaped spaces allowing architects more scope for innovation. Free-standing Tension Structures - From Tensegrity Systems to Cable-strut Systemsprovides the background engineering needed to produce these wonderful structures. Providing a complete background to the underlying structural engineering theories of tensegrity, this book will prove invaluable for all architects and engineers working on tensile structures.

Wang Bin Bing is a researcher and structural engineer with an international curtain wall and cladding company

List of figures

vii

List of tables

xiii

Preface

xiv

Acknowledgements

xvii

PART I Tensegrity systems

1

(70)

Introduction

3

(20)

Classification of space structures

3

(1)

Roles of cables in space structures

4

(11)

Introduction to tensegrity

15

(8)

Properties of tensegrity simplexes and analysis of pin-jointed systems containing mechanisms

23

(20)

Equilibrium condition in tensegrity prisms

23

(2)

Mechanism analysis of tensegrity simplexes

25

(3)

Analysis of pin-jointed systems containing mechanisms

28

(9)

Mechanical properties related to tensegrity simplexes

37

(6)

Structural configurations, properties and design of tensegrity grids composed of simplexes

43

(28)

Structural systems made of tensegrity simplexes

43

(4)

Geometrically rigid forms

47

(7)

Design examples

54

(8)

Structural efficiency of tensegrity grids

62

(9)

PART II Cable-strut systems

71

(138)

Geometrical characterization of basic cable-strut systems

73

(27)

Definition of cable-strut systems

73

(1)

Principles of designing cable-strut simplexes

74

(1)

Cable-strut simplexes

75

(8)

Cable-strut grids of non-contiguous strut configurations

83

(3)

Cable-strut grids of contiguous strut configurations

86

(10)

Cable-strut shells

96

(2)

Summary of cable-strut simplexes and grids

98

(2)

Structural properties and design of lightweight cable-strut grids

100

(30)

Truss analysis method on mechanical properties

100

(9)

Principles of designing lightweight cable-strut grids

109

(9)

Design examples in conventional spans

118

(12)

Application studies of lightweight cable-strut grids

130

(38)

Large span design

131

(13)

Joint design in lightweight cable-strut grids

144

(7)

Deployment studies of cable-strut grids

151

(17)

Architectural aspect of cable-strut systems

168

(41)

Review of architectural tensegrity forms

168

(5)

Linear, plane-filling and space-filling cable-strut forms

173

(4)

Special cable-strut configurations

177

(2)

Special structural and roof design

179

(7)

Basic cable-strut structures with ornamental supplements

186

(3)

Basic cable-strut structures with roof sculptures

189

(7)

Reshaped cable-strut simplexes

196

(6)

Higher cable-strut polyhedra

202

(6)

Summary

208

(1)

Appendix A: tensegrity grids in one-way spanning

209

(3)

Appendix B: design proposal of large span non-contiguous strut tensegrity grids

212

(6)

Appendix C: cable-strut grids made of triangular simplexes

218

(4)

Appendix D: cable-strut grids in one-way spanning

222

(4)

Bibliography

226

(5)

Index

231

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