CABLE-STRUT SYSTEMS - PART I - TENSEGRITY

The concept of cable-strut is extended from that of tensegrity. The br oad interpretation of cable-strut systems includes tensegrity systems, RP (Reciprocal Prism) and CP (Crystal-cell Pyramid) system, etc. Its narrow interpretation excludes tensegrity systems. Thus this paper is divided into two parts. Part I gives concept, properties and feasibili ty studies of tensegrity structures to put forward cable-strut systems . Part II presents the theory and novel concepts concerning the applic ation of cable-strut systems, and concludes that cable-strut systems a re revolutionary in space structures. In this part, the essential idea of tensegrity is analyzed and the concept of tensegrity is systematic ally redefined. Tensegrity grids can be classified into Two types of c onfigurations: non-contiguous strut and contiguous strut. Their proper ties are presented and compared. The properties of the latter are also compared with those of RP grids. The low efficiency of tensegrity gri ds is analyzed. The feasibility studies, concerning applicable tensegr ity forms and their application scale, are also introduced in this pap er. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.