Collapse Behavior of Tensegrity Systems Due To Cable Rupture

Tensegrity systems are statically and kinematically indeterminate systems. They typically contain a large number of cable elements and struts. However, there are a number of critical cable elements in tensegrity systems, with the sudden rupture of any of them, their forces are shed into the structure in a dynamic manner, leading to more severe damage. This paper presents a numerical and experimental investigation into the collapse behavior of tensegrity systems due to a cable rupture. The test results are served as a basis for the finite element modeling and furthermore for the development of a new approach to structural design of tensegrity systems. It was found that the most important factors, influencing the collapse behavior of the tensegrity systems due to a cable rupture, are the damping ratios and load level at which a cable element is suddenly ruptured.