Author(s)

R. Motro & M. Bounderbala

Abstract

Popularized by R. B. Fuller, and simultaneously by G.D. Emmerich, Tensegrity Systems appeared for the first time in the sculptural work of K. Snelson at the end of the forties. Understanding of these structural systems is not a simple task. Many publications have been devoted to their study under plastic, mathematical, mechanical, geometrical and even symbolic aspects. They belong to a specific class of space structures, called "tension structures", which is mainly characterized by the fact that tension stresses are equilibrated by elements which have no rigidity in compression. Some basic concepts are described in the following paragraphs in order to explain how these space structures can be used in mobile architecture. 1. Introduction The first part of this paper deals with basic knowledges on tensegrity systems. A recent publica

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