Preface of the book: Fraternali, F., Rimoli, J.J. (eds) Tensegrity Systems. CISM International Centre for Mechanical Sciences, vol 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-82283-4_9

This book presents topics from an advanced course held at the International Center for Mechanical Sciences in Udine, Italy, in September 2024. It aims to illustrate the unique mechanical behaviors of tensegrity systems and their applications in mechanical metamaterials, space structures, and biomechanical models. Several studies have shown that by controlling the mechanical response of tensegrity structures through internal and external prestress, it is possible to adjust the speed of mechanical waves within these systems, creating tunable bandgap structures. Furthermore, the geometrically nonlinear response exhibited by several tensegrity systems allows for the support of either compression or rarefaction solitary wave dynamics. These behaviors can be effectively utilized to design novel devices capable of focusing mechanical waves in narrow regions of space, as well as i9nnovative impact protection systems.