A metaheuristic-based method for analysis of tensegrity structures


BEKDAŞ G., Ocak A., NİGDELİ S. M., Toklu Y. C.

Structural Design of Tall and Special Buildings, vol.33, no.7, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 33 Issue: 7
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/tal.2091
  • Journal Name: Structural Design of Tall and Special Buildings
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: adaptive harmony search, energy minimization, tensegrity system, total potential optimization
  • Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Tensegrity systems are construction system that offers solutions for lighter designs compared with a standard truss system consisting of tension and compression elements. Due to their structure, they are recommended in the design of space structures due to the use of lighter and easy-to-assemble structural elements such as cables, ropes, and similar to provide the desired durability. In this study, energy minimization was carried out to solve the structural element displacements. It is expected to reduce the total potential energy of the system with minimization. By minimizing the total potential energy of the tensegrity system models, the displacement of each building element is found for the equilibrium condition. Tensegrity models were analyzed by minimizing energy via the adaptive harmony search (AHS) algorithm. In this research, two distinct tensegrity structure specimens were employed. One comprised a cantilever beam, while the other adopted a cyclic model, forming eight equal octagons from eight nodes at both the base and the top. Additionally, an examination was conducted on a two-layer iteration of the cyclic model. The method is robust for both space and planar tensegrity structures, allowing the determination of deformed shapes under various loads without design assumptions. The TPO/MA method demonstrates superiority in handling nonlinear and barely stable systems, as evidenced by examples illustrating its efficacy in maintaining structural form under increasing loads and challenging conditions.