A hierarchical tensegrity structure for morphing

Robert Telford, Paul M. Weaver

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We are now in an exciting period of spaceflight, with both private and national industries committing to an increasing number of highly ambitious missions. Driving this advancement has been significant technological developments aimed at increasing mission capabilities while reducing costs. We can now look at enabling even more ambitious missions through combining the latest morphing technologies with the highly efficient structural properties of tensegrity. Tensegrity structures are known as a lightweight and highly optimized load bearing structural solution. Incorporating the substantial shape changing capabilities achievable using composites materials, a new range of highly multifunctional and hierarchical structures are possible. These structures remain light weight and strong, but can be deployable, adaptable, as well as tuneable. This work aims to realise such structures by using morphing helices as shape changing tensegrity elements. The morphing helix uses prestressed composite materials to create a variable twist and length component.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAIMETA 2017 - Proceedings of the 23rd Conference of the Italian Association of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
EditorsLuciano Feo, Luigi Ascione, Valentino Paolo Berardi, Fernando Fraternali, Antonio Michele Tralli
PublisherCentro Servizi d'Ateneo S.r.l.
Pages1123-1135
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9788894248470
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Event23rd Conference of the Italian Association of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, AIMETA 2017 - Salerno, Italy
Duration: 4 Sep 20177 Sep 2017

Publication series

NameAIMETA 2017 - Proceedings of the 23rd Conference of the Italian Association of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
Volume1

Conference

Conference23rd Conference of the Italian Association of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, AIMETA 2017
Country/TerritoryItaly
CitySalerno
Period4/09/177/09/17

Keywords

  • Automated Fibre Placement.
  • Composites
  • Morphing
  • Tensegrity

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