Author(s)

Oscar Sircovich Saar

Abstract

This paper presents a new type of structure whose original geometry changes under external load in such a way as to provide an elastic increasing resistance to the applied load - a hardening system. The structure is composed mainly of "basic units" each of which consists of a number of bars and a cable. The bars are connected to one another by pinned joints, though they are not necessarily triangulated. The cable, common to all the units, is attached to the end supports and extends continuously over some of the internal joints. Changes in the original form of the structure under external load is mainly due to displacement of these joints along the cable. Those changes originate an internal tensioning force which acts on the structure as a partial counterbalance to the effects of the external loads. The general configuration of the structure resembles that of a truss.

Keywords