Experimental Investigation of Nonlinear Wave Behavior in a Tensegrity Mast

Presenter Information

Joy Westland

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

SURC Ballroom B/C/D

Start Date

21-5-2015

End Date

21-5-2015

Keywords

Tensegrity, Longitudinal/Torsional Waves, Nonlinear Equilibrium

Abstract

Tensegrity structures are made up of load-bearing elements, called rods, and tension-bearing elements, called cables, held together in static equilibrium via a balanced distribution of compression and tension. First conceived in the mid-twentieth century, tensegrity structures have been analyzed and studied by mathematicians, civil and aeronautic engineers, and biophysicists, among others, generally with the goal of understanding static behavior. The focus of this study is the dynamic properties of a tensegrity structure when acting as medium for longitudinal and torsional vibrational waves. The first phase consists of the construction of the tensegrity tower while the second phase is to measure and characterize the wave pulses that propagate through the tower. This presentation will focus on the process of constructing a tensegrity tower through various methods. The approach to building the tower involves creating sections of the tower and then uniting them. Using aluminum rods connected by strings, the tower is formed with overlapping structural units or layers of three rods each. The primary challenge has been to control the amount of tension within the strings of the tower in order to create the balanced ratio between the rods and strings. Other challenges involve working with small scale hardware to tighten or loosen the structure to maintain equilibrium. Future experiments on the completed tower will investigate nonlinear wave behavior when compressional and torsional wave pulses are propagating through the structure.

Poster Number

61

Faculty Mentor(s)

Andrew Piacsek, Peter Zencak

Department/Program

Physics

Additional Mentoring Department

Physics

Additional Mentoring Department

Physics

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May 21st, 8:30 AM May 21st, 11:00 AM

Experimental Investigation of Nonlinear Wave Behavior in a Tensegrity Mast

SURC Ballroom B/C/D

Tensegrity structures are made up of load-bearing elements, called rods, and tension-bearing elements, called cables, held together in static equilibrium via a balanced distribution of compression and tension. First conceived in the mid-twentieth century, tensegrity structures have been analyzed and studied by mathematicians, civil and aeronautic engineers, and biophysicists, among others, generally with the goal of understanding static behavior. The focus of this study is the dynamic properties of a tensegrity structure when acting as medium for longitudinal and torsional vibrational waves. The first phase consists of the construction of the tensegrity tower while the second phase is to measure and characterize the wave pulses that propagate through the tower. This presentation will focus on the process of constructing a tensegrity tower through various methods. The approach to building the tower involves creating sections of the tower and then uniting them. Using aluminum rods connected by strings, the tower is formed with overlapping structural units or layers of three rods each. The primary challenge has been to control the amount of tension within the strings of the tower in order to create the balanced ratio between the rods and strings. Other challenges involve working with small scale hardware to tighten or loosen the structure to maintain equilibrium. Future experiments on the completed tower will investigate nonlinear wave behavior when compressional and torsional wave pulses are propagating through the structure.