Dynamic behavior of a tensegrity footbridge

Abstract

Consulta en la Biblioteca ETSI Industriales (8091)

[EN] The tensegrity concept attracted wide attention since its first applications in architecture 50 years ago. Tensegrities are spatial, reticulated and lightweight structures that are composed of struts and tendons. Stability is provided by the self-stress state between tensioned and compressed elements. Tensegrities have received significant interest among scientists and engineers in fields such as architecture, civil engineering and aerospace applications. Among different traditional approaches, the tensegrity concept is one of the most promising for active and deployable structures as often small amounts of energy are needed for structural control purposes and adaptation in changing environments. The feasibility of using the tensegrity concept in a structural system for pedestrian bridges is being explored through researches carried out at IMAC over the last years. A recent project focused on a deployable tensegrity footbridge. This project concluded that a tensegrity-based footbridge can withstand static design loads. However, using tensegrity modules in a footbridge design increases flexibility and lightness leading to more sensitivity to dynamic loads. The main focus of this project is to study the dynamic behaviour of a tensegrity deployable footbridge subjected to loads such as those induced by pedestrians. A parametric analysis is performed in order to identify the influence of some design parameter on the modal properties of the structure. Code requirements for footbridges dynamic behavior are reviewed and applied to the tensegrity footbridge.