Nanayakkara, K.I.U. orcid.org/0000-0003-2630-7724, He, L., Fairclough, H.E. et al. (1 more author) (2020) A simple layout optimization formulation for load-carrying tensegrity structures. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 62 (6). pp. 2935-2949. ISSN 1615-147X
Abstract
Traditional tensegrity structures comprise isolated compression members lying inside a continuous network of tension members. In this contribution, a simple numerical layout optimization formulation is presented and used to identify the topologies of minimum volume tensegrity structures designed to carry external applied loads. Binary variables and associated constraints are used to limit (usually to one) the number of compressive elements connecting a node. A computationally efficient two-stage procedure employing mixed integer linear programming (MILP) is used to identify structures capable of carrying both externally applied loads and the self-stresses present when these loads are removed. Although tensegrity structures are often regarded as inherently ‘optimal’, the presence of additional constraints in the optimization formulation means that they can never be more optimal than traditional, non-tensegrity, structures. The proposed procedure is programmed in a MATLAB script (available for download) and a range of examples are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the approach presented.
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Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2020. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. |
Keywords: | Layout optimization; Tensegrity structures; Mixed integer linear programming |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Engineering (Sheffield) > Department of Civil and Structural Engineering (Sheffield) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL EP/N023471/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 05 Oct 2020 14:56 |
Last Modified: | 27 Jan 2022 10:57 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Springer Nature |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1007/s00158-020-02653-w |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:165696 |
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Filename: Nanayakkara2020_Article_ASimpleLayoutOptimizationFormu.pdf
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