Stability of tensegrity-inspired structures fabricated through additive manufacturing

This study encompasses experimental and theoretical research on the stability of tensegrity-inspired structures in view of additive manufacturing technology. The aim of the research is to produce a qualitative and quantitative estimation of the post-critical behavior of struts in 3D-printed tensegrity-inspired modules. Presented results of compression tests performed on modules and single struts show that the bars work in the post-critical state before they reach their load bearing capacity. Comparison of theoretical solutions with experimental tests allowed us to conclude that the struts can carry axial loads significantly higher than the limits resulting from the classical Euler theory.