In the present work, we examine a novel application of tensegrity structures, exploring their use as networks supporting energy transport through solitary waves. We show that the elastic potential of a ‘regular minimal tensegrity prism’ (Skelton and de Oliveira, 2010) belongs to the class of nonlinear potentials analyzed in Friesecke and Matthies (2002), which characterize lattices supporting solitary waves with profile dependent on the wave speed. We numerically study the shape of such a profile over a wide range of wave speeds, showing that it localizes on a single lattice spacing (i.e., on a single prism) in the limit for the wave speed tending to infinity. This feature of tensegrity structures has not yet been investigated in the literature, and could pave the way to the use of ‘tensegrity lattices’ (or ‘crystals’) as novel materials to control stress propagation and produce energy trapping (cf., e.g., Fraternali et al. (2010a,b); Daraio et al. (2006) and therein references); innovative tendon- and strut-controlled structures for seismic applications (Skelton, 2002); as well as in novel acoustic devices, in order to create acoustic lenses capable of focusing pressure waves in very compact regions in space (Spadoni and Daraio, 2010).
On the Nonlinear Dynamics of Tensegrity Lattices
FRATERNALI, Fernando;
2012-01-01
Abstract
In the present work, we examine a novel application of tensegrity structures, exploring their use as networks supporting energy transport through solitary waves. We show that the elastic potential of a ‘regular minimal tensegrity prism’ (Skelton and de Oliveira, 2010) belongs to the class of nonlinear potentials analyzed in Friesecke and Matthies (2002), which characterize lattices supporting solitary waves with profile dependent on the wave speed. We numerically study the shape of such a profile over a wide range of wave speeds, showing that it localizes on a single lattice spacing (i.e., on a single prism) in the limit for the wave speed tending to infinity. This feature of tensegrity structures has not yet been investigated in the literature, and could pave the way to the use of ‘tensegrity lattices’ (or ‘crystals’) as novel materials to control stress propagation and produce energy trapping (cf., e.g., Fraternali et al. (2010a,b); Daraio et al. (2006) and therein references); innovative tendon- and strut-controlled structures for seismic applications (Skelton, 2002); as well as in novel acoustic devices, in order to create acoustic lenses capable of focusing pressure waves in very compact regions in space (Spadoni and Daraio, 2010).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
