Experimental and numerical analysis of tensegrity structures

This paper investigates the application of three form-finding methods for tensegrity structures made of cables and bars. The examined methods allow the determination of nodal positions and the prestress state which is essential for the mechanical properties of these kind of structures. The computational results are compared to measurements of the geometry and the prestress state obtained by experiments using laboratory tensegrity structures made of aluminium bars, steel cables as well as sophisticated connection and prestressing elements. This comparative study demonstrates the quality of the form-finding methods but also the demands on strategies considering additionally the mechanical behaviour of these structures and on improved assembly methods.