Investigation into pre-stress modes and optimal layout of a new hybrid cable-strut system

Abstract

Cable domes obtain their stability through the boundary compression ring that contradicts the free-standing principle of tensegrities. Replacement of that with a tensegrity ring has recently attracted the attention of researchers. In this study, form-finding of a modified hybrid structure consisting of a tensegrity ring and a Levy cable dome has been presented. Two groups of different configurations with two different arrangements of modules in tensegrity ring and also two connecting methods between the ring and cable dome parts were considered in the hybrid structures. Since the distribution of pre-stress forces is a fundamental issue in structural behavior, the proximity of pre-stress force values between two parts of ring and cable dome was chosen as comparison criterion. The form-finding of a variety of hybrid cases was carried out and results were compared with the previously proposed hybrid structure and with each other to achieve the best combination method between two parts. It was found that the hybrid cases proposed in this study have a very better pre-stress force distribution and finally the best hybrid structure also was presented.