A novel method for topology design of tensegrity structures

There have been few studies on a method which can specify configurations of tensegrity structures automatically. A novel method for topology design of the tensegrity structures by using a force density method combined with a genetic algorithm is presented. The method requires only nodal coordinates as initial input data. To slect strut candidate groups and remove unnecessary cables, a discontinuity condition and a minimal tensegrity configuration are used, respectively. This paper will show two well-known numerical examples to prove efficiency. In conclusion, a very good performance of proposed method has been shown in the results. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.