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Force Density Method

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Part of the book series: Mathematics for Industry ((MFI,volume 6))

Abstract

This chapter presents a numerical method for form-finding problem of tensegrity structures, by making use of the idea of force density method originally developed for cable-nets. The basic idea is to find the feasible force densities satisfying the non-degeneracy condition as presented in Chap. 2, and then to determine geometry realization of the structure satisfying the self-equilibrium equations. The method is suitable for finding the self-equilibrated configuration of complex tensegrity structures with a large number of members and nodes, and more importantly, it guarantees super-stable structures in most cases.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The structure in this case is still prestress-stable, because it is kinematically determinate.

  2. 2.

    A star-shaped tensegrity structure discussed in Chap. 3 has two special (center) nodes, which are connected only by cables.

References

  1. Harary, F. (1969). Graph theory. Reading: Addison-Wesley.

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  2. Lay, D. C. (2011). Linear algebra and its applications (4\({\rm th}\) ed.). New Jersey: Pearson.

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  3. Schek, H.-J. (1974). The force density method for form finding and computation of general networks. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 3(1), 115–134.

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  4. Vassart, N., & Motro, R. (1999). Multiparametered formfinding method: application to tensegrity systems. International Journal of Space Structures, 14(2), 147–154.

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Correspondence to Jing Yao Zhang .

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© 2015 Springer Japan

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Zhang, J.Y., Ohsaki, M. (2015). Force Density Method. In: Tensegrity Structures. Mathematics for Industry, vol 6. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54813-3_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54813-3_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo

  • Print ISBN: 978-4-431-54812-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-4-431-54813-3

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