A New Type of Self-Stressed Equilibrium Cable-Strut System Made of Reciprocal Prisms

Abstract

In this paper, self-stressed equilibrium reciprocal prisms (RPs) made of cables and struts are introduced in space structures. In the resulting RP grid, the selections of its chief parameters such as the height of the upper part of a simplex relative to its bottom, and the latter relative to the length of a horizontal strut, are studied for the square RP. The RP structure does not need a boundary anchorage system, overcoming the main drawback of cable domes, and is very convenient for prestressing. Moreover, it is considerably stiffer and lighter than tensegrity structures. The concept of RP system is sufficient for rigid coverings, and can serve excellently as the supporting system of membrane roofs.