Globally stable minimal mass compressive tensegrity structures

Theory exists for minimal mass tensegrity structures under compressive loads, constrained against local buckling of members. This paper extends that theory to include constraints against global buckling. We design compressive tensegrity structures in the T-Bar configuration defined in Skelton and de Oliveira (2009) by adding constraints against global buckling, not addressed in Skelton and de Oliveira (2009). Formulas are derived for minimal mass design of T-Bar systems of complexity 1 and 2. The result shows explicitly the conditions under which the original design in Skelton and de Oliveira (2009) holds and when it does not. Moreover, the formula for the minimal mass is given when global buckling limits the mass, instead of local buckling.