Shape and force control of cable structures with minimal actuators and actuation

Shape adjustment and stress control can be considered as one of the effective parameters in prestressed cable structures since such structures are widely constructed nowadays due to their characteristics. The assembly errors and applied loads hugely affect the cables’ nodal positions and stress due to their delicacy. The former could disturb the shape, which affects the appearance and the function of the structure. In contrast, the latter may increase the stress in some cables above the upper limit or induce slack in some others. Accordingly, a technique has been proposed that combined fmincon optimization that relies on four different algorithms with a controlling approach based on the force method. The presented method aims to minimize the total amount of actuation and miniaturize the number of actuators. The targets of previously confirmed techniques can be obtained with less actuation and fewer actuators by using the current technique. Based on the verified examples, the advantage of the current approach over the quoted methods is up to 55% and 37% in terms of the number of actuators and the total amount of actuation, respectively.

NUMERICAL APPROACH FOR SIMULATING THE TENSIONING PROCESS OF COMPLEX PRESTRESSED CABLE-NET STRUCTURES

The stability of cable-net structures depends on the prestress of the system. Due to the large displacement and mutual effect of the cables, it is difficult to simulate the tensioning process and control the forming accuracy. The Backward Algorithm (BA) has been used to simulate the tensioning process. The traditional BA involves complicated and tedious matrix operations. In this paper, a new numerical method based on the Vector Form Intrinsic Finite Element (VFIFE) method is proposed for BA application. Moreover, the tensioning sequence of a complex cable-net structure is introduced. Subsequently, a new approach for BA application in the simulation of the tensioning process is presented, which combines the VFIFE approach and the notion of form-finding. Finally, a numerical example is simulated in detail and the results of different tensioning stages are analyzed to verify the feasibility of the proposed approach. This study provides a significant reference for improving the construction control and forming accuracy of complex prestressed cable-net structures.

Influence of welding deformation on anti-collapse performance of single-layer reticulated shell structures with prestressed cables

In this paper, the ABAQUS finite element software is used to model and analyze the single-layer reticulated shell structure. And the method of removing the constraints of key components is used to analyze the anti-continuous collapse performance of this reticulated shell structure under the action of geometric defects and welding deformation. Welding deformation is mainly caused by welding and prestressed cable tensioning of single-layer reticulated shell. The results show that the removal of the key columns under the reticulated shell will lead to the continuous collapse of the upper part, which leads to the continuous collapse of the whole structure, and the welding deformation can make the continuous collapse of the whole reticulated shell more obvious. Thus determining the influence of geometric defects and temperature shrinkage deformation on the anti-continuous collapse performance.

MODERN CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS FOR PRESTRESSED CABLE DOMES AND WAYS TO IMPROVE THEM

To create fundamentally new innovative large-span structures of buildings and structures coverings, modern design solutions of prestressed cable domes of the Tensegrity type are considered. The service life of the first built Tensigrity domes is only 35 years. These are fairly new, effective structures that require careful study and use of modern scientific approaches for their design using software systems, since their work under load and the construction process are quite complex. The design analysis and erection of self-stressed structures is based on the invention of an equilibrium structure, the so-called tensegrity form. The search for the shape is multidimensional and consists of the stage of computational analysis of a self-stressed dome for the equilibrium position of elements and their nodes, selection of the most stable and rigid structure, as well as taking into account possible unfavorable loads during operation and the initial load in the elements from the application of prestressing. To determine the shape of cable domes, a nonlinear programming problem with given axial forces is formulated, which can be considered as the problem of minimizing the difference in the total strain energy between the elements of the cables and struts under constraints on the compatibility conditions. The first step in calculating the prestressing of a cable dome is to assess the feasibility of its geometry. The possibility of forming a cable dome of negative Gaussian curvature is considered and a method for calculating the prestressing for this new shape is investigated. The proposed method is effective and accurate in determining the allowable prestressing for a cable dome with negative Gaussian curvature and can be used for other types of prestressed structures. The new directions for the development of effective constructive solutions for large-span coatings are presented, including a suspended-dome structure, which combines the advantages of a mesh shell and a cable dome. Special attention should be paid to experimental studies on models of tensegrity domes, the results of which demonstrate the positive and negative aspects of the behavior of structures under load, the process of their erection, as well as the possibility of control and restoration during operation.