Tensegrity structure and construction method thereof

Abstract

To provide a tensegrity structure and a construction method thereof not only capable of enhancing structural stability but also keeping the structural stability upon partially buckling of compressed material or breaking of tensile material, to allow realization of a semi-spherical dome type tensegrity structure as a result.SOLUTION: In a tensegrity structure 101 configured to symmetrically and asymmetrically tensile-integrate a plurality of discontinuous column-like compressed members 10 arranged mutually in a non-contact manner by a closed network formed of linear tension members 20, a new network is formed which triangulates all polygonal openings in addition to radial tension members 3 connecting respective vertexes and centers of the polygonal openings in any of triangle, pentagon, quadrangle, and hexagon, or connects respective vertexes the polygonal openings diagonally for further fragmentation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tensegrity structure, which is a polyhedral structure composed of linear members arranged in tensioned parts and columnar members arranged in compressed parts, and a method for constructing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Tensegrity is a concept proposed by Buckminster Fuller, and is a coined word that combines the words tension and integrity.

[0003] In engineering, a tensegrity structure is a structural system consisting of straight pin-jointed members in which the compression members are not connected to each other but are balanced by the tension members. The tension members may be connected to each other. In a three-dimensional structure, each compression member must have at least three tension members connected to each end.

[0004] Unlike compression members, which are used in conventional structural systems as masts to support columns or tension members and are strongly connected to the ground, in tensegrity structures, compression members are balanced by tension from tension members attached to both ends and do not come into contact with other compression members.

[0005] A tensegrity structure, which is made up of multiple discontinuous compression members integrated by the mutually continuous tensile forces of tension members and arranged without contact with each other, constantly vibrates due to its ability to distribute external forces and stresses.

[0006] General architectural structures, such as buildings, bridges, and towers, are based on the idea that they are supported by being firmly fixed to the ground, and therefore have an essential problem of being extremely sensitive to ground movements such as earthquakes.

[0007] In contrast to this, tensegrity structures aim to minimize their own weight and to be flexible structures, as well as to exist independently from the ground.

[0008] Therefore, tensegrity structures are not only lightweight structures, but are also extremely noteworthy in that they are not at risk of total collapse even in the event of ground movement such as an earthquake.

[0009] Tensegrity structures, as shown in the following invention by R. Buckminster Fuller, form a continuous network in a zigzag or closed diamond shape along the outer edges of each compression member. [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 3,063,521

[0010] FIG. 11 shows a symmetrical tensegrity structure 101 as an example of a tensegrity structure, which is constructed from columnar compression members 10 and tension members 20 made of ultra-high strength, high elasticity, and low elongation fibers.

[0011] The columnar compression members 10 are not particularly limited in material as long as they have the necessary rigidity, but when considering weight reduction of the tensegrity structure, aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, reinforced plastic, or carbon is preferable. Furthermore, if they are made of solid or hollow rod material, their cross-sectional shape is arbitrary, and they may be rectangular, circular, or the like, and may be hollow except for the ends.

[0012] The tensile member 20 is not limited to any particular material as long as it has the strength required to construct a tensegrity structure as a tensile member, but the tensile member can be made of any suitable material with low elongation, such as metal fiber, carbon fiber, or aramid fiber.

[0013] Furthermore, if there is a tensile force in the tension members 20 that does not cause them to deviate from the columnar compression members 10, the compression members will be integrated into a continuous network even though they are arranged discontinuously with each other, and the tensegrity structure will always be able to self-sustain in a spherical shape.

[0014] Figure 12 shows a Z-shaped tensegrity unit 105 for forming the symmetrical tensegrity structure 101, in which the end of the hollow compression member body 11 is fitted with the end of the separated concave joint part 30 to form the columnar compression member 10. Rotatable concave joint parts 30 are fitted to both ends of the compression member body 11.

[0015] At the end of the concave joint section 30, a cylindrical tunnel 40 and a guide slit 50 are provided along the central axis of the compression member 10. All the convex joint sections are inserted into the cylindrical tunnel 40 by the tension force of a spherical closed network consisting of 30 tension members 20.

[0016] Furthermore, if there is a tensile force in the tension members 20 that prevents them from departing from the cylindrical tunnel 40, the compression members are arranged discontinuously but are integrated into a continuous network, and the tensegrity structure can always remain spherical and self-sustaining.

[0017] In order to accurately position and fix the compression members of a tensegrity structure in three-dimensional space, in addition to the fixing method for creating the continuous network mentioned above, stability and durability of the tensile force of the tension members themselves are required.

[0018] Therefore, since Buckminster Fuller discovered its principles in 1949, the dramatic improvement in the strength of tensegrity structures, which are said to be the ultimate structures consisting of the synergistic interaction between compression and tension members, can be said to have progressed more along with the development of ultra-high strength, highly elastic, and low-elongation materials for tension members than through the development of lightweight materials for compression members.

[0019] Even spherical tensegrity structures with diameters of several meters are adjusted to the millimeter for each tensile member, and for research and educational models, adjustments to the millimeter or less are required, so there has been a particular demand for materials for tensile members that exhibit almost no dimensional change.

[0020] The use of fibers with low specific gravity and high tensile strength and modulus of elasticity is essential for the stability of tensegrity structures, which have a greater number of tension members than compression members. For example, polyamide fiber has a tensile strength approximately 1.4 times that of steel wire, approximately 3 times that of nylon, and approximately 2.5 times that of polyester, and its tensile modulus of elasticity is low, making it one of the most suitable materials for tension members in tensegrity structures. In fact, when low-elongation aramid fiber or carbon fiber is used as a tension member, the elongation is only about a fraction of that of stainless steel wire or nylon.

[0021] As described in the patent document below, the process of constructing a tensegrity structure involves constructing a tensegrity structure 101 using 30 sets of Z-shaped tensegrity units 105, each consisting of a compression member 10 and a tension member 20. The tension members 20, which have a continuous Z-shape, support the working tension section while inserting the coated tension member 70 and the massive crimping material 60, which form the convex joint portion 80, into the cylindrical tunnel 40 and the guide slit 50 almost simultaneously, stabilizing the massive crimping material 60 on the bottom surface of the cylindrical tunnel 40 and the coated tension member 70 on the bottom surface of the guide slit 50. [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4991230

[0022] In this case, since the width of the guide slit 50 is smaller than the diameter of the covering tension portion 70, the tension member and the compression member can be fixed to each other even in the initial assembly stage when the clamping force of the guide slit 50 has not yet generated sufficient tension.

[0023] In this way, convex joint portions 80 are inserted into both ends of all 30 compression members, and tension members 20 are attached in an S-shape, and the solid caulking material 60 and the coated tension portion 70 are inserted into the densely packed tensegrity joints at the ends of each compression member in the same manner.

[0024] By connecting the compression members 10 and tension members 20 to each other so as to gradually expand the network of pentagonal and hexagonal shapes locally, the massive crimping material 60 does not escape from the cylindrical tunnel 40 of the tensegrity joint, and the internal filling structure becomes more stable.

[0025] Even before the entire structure is completed, the compression members 10 of the incomplete massive tensegrity structure are already arranged in a discontinuous manner in space. This is because, as the network gradually closes, an invisible synergistic effect occurs, and as the connections progress, the filling structure begins to function as a node in the network.

[0026] For example, even a hemispherical tensegrity structure with a diameter of several tens of centimeters constructed using this method can verify the autonomy of the tensegrity structure, as it can bounce even if dropped to the floor.

[0027] The above-mentioned Patent Document 2 does not require any adhesive fixation or mechanical fastening using bolts, nuts, washers, etc., and therefore, even if a tension member breaks, it is easy to replace not only the tension member but also the compression member. Furthermore, by miniaturizing the tensegrity joint, the weight of the tensegrity structure can be further reduced. Furthermore, the inventor of the present invention proposed that adjusting the tension force when the tensegrity structure becomes relaxed can be easily done by replacing only the tension members at the distance between two points.

[0028] The above-mentioned Patent Document 2 discloses a tensegrity structure in which a plurality of discontinuous compression members arranged without contact with each other are symmetrically or asymmetrically integrated by a closed network of tension members, in which a plurality of tension members made of ultra-high strength, high elasticity, and low elongation fibers are used for the tension members, and each tension member is divided periodically or aperiodically at a pre-designed length, and a covered tension section is formed by covering and reinforcing the tension member with another fiber at each boundary point of each section for a length equal to or greater than the diameter of the compression member, and a massive caulking material is clamped on each boundary point, and a convex joint section is provided which is made up of the massive caulking material and the covered tension section which penetrates the massive caulking material, and guide slits are provided on both end side surfaces of the compression member in the diameter direction of the compression member, and a guide slit is provided in the axial direction of the compression member from the center of the both end side surfaces, and the covered tension section is provided in the axial direction of the compression member. and a concave joint portion having a cylindrical tunnel that penetrates the bottom surface of the guide slit and has a diameter larger than that of the massive crimping material, the massive crimping material of the convex joint portion is inserted into the cylindrical tunnel of the concave joint portion and the coated tensile portion of the convex joint portion is inserted along the guide slit of the concave joint portion, so that at least two or more massive crimping materials are brought into contact with the inner wall of the cylindrical tunnel and are simultaneously brought into point contact with each other within the cylindrical tunnel to temporarily fill it, and the coated tensile portions are then concentrated into the guide slits on the left and right sides of the cylindrical tunnel, so that a completely closed network is formed with nodes that are densely packed structures made of a plurality of the massive crimping materials that are stabilized by tensile force, thereby constructing a tensegrity structure. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0029] As mentioned above, conventional tensegrity structures form a continuous network in a zigzag or closed diamond shape along the outer side of each compression member, as shown in the Buckminster Fuller patent drawings in Patent Document 1 and other patent drawings. In other words, the tension members support the compression members without contacting each other by forming a closed network.

[0030] In a tensegrity structure consisting of this continuous network, if a compression member partially buckles or a tension member breaks, the structural stability of the tensegrity will become significantly unstable locally.

[0031] This is because the tensegrity network of conventional tensegrity structures is more susceptible to vibration due to the spatial arrangement of the compression members, which form polygonal openings such as triangular, pentagonal, and hexagonal shapes. As a result, partial buckling of the compression members or fracture of the tension members will result in the formation of new, larger polygonal openings.

[0032] The tensegrity structure in Patent Document 2 is manufactured by engaging a massive crimping material, which is a convex joint formed on the tension member, with the concave joints at both ends of the compression member, but it was quite difficult to adjust the tension by adjusting the length of the tension member.

[0033] The only way to do this was to attach turnbuckles to the tension members or to use metal members such as bolts and flanges.

[0034] The object of the present invention is to provide a tensegrity structure and a method for constructing it that not only overcomes the disadvantages of the conventional examples and increases structural stability, but also maintains structural stability even if a compression member partially buckles or a tension member breaks, thereby making it possible to realize a hemispherical dome-shaped tensegrity structure. This method aims to provide a tensegrity structure and a method for constructing it that can exhibit a fail-safe function designed to ensure that the system continues to function normally and safely maintain the structure even if some kind of failure occurs in a full-spherical tensegrity structure or a hemispherical dome-shaped tensegrity structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0035] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a tensegrity structure in which, first, a plurality of discontinuous columnar compression members arranged without contact with each other are tensioned and integrated symmetrically or asymmetrically by a closed network of linear tension members, and tension members are added radially from the centers of triangular, pentagonal, and hexagonal polygonal openings to make all of the polygonal openings into triangles, or to connect the vertices of the polygonal openings to form a new, more subdivided network; second, the linear tension members connecting the diagonals are stretched over star-shaped polygonal openings that include triangles; and third, the tensegrity structure is a hemispherical dome-shaped structure.

[0036] The method for constructing a tensegrity structure is a method for tensioning linear tensile members, in which a plurality of discontinuous columnar compression members arranged without contacting each other are tensioned and integrated symmetrically or asymmetrically by a closed network of linear tensile members to form a tensegrity structure. The gist of the method is that one continuous linear tensile member is prepared, and this linear tensile member is hung between both ends of one columnar compression member and both ends of another columnar compression member that intersects it in three dimensions to form a unit loop, and unit loops are sequentially formed on adjacent columnar compression members while connecting all of the columnar compression members with the one continuous columnar compression member, and then both ends of the columnar compression member are tensioned, and each end of each columnar compression member and the linear tensile member are fixed by engaging massive caulking material provided on the columnar compression linear tensile member with holes formed in the center of slits formed radially at the ends of the columnar compression members or with the outer openings of the slits to form a tensegrity structure, and the massive caulking material is composed of knots of linear tensile members.

[0037] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, in addition to the conventional tensegrity network, diagonal tension members are added radially from the center of the triangular, pentagonal, and hexagonal polygonal openings to make all of the polygonal openings into triangles, or the vertices of the polygonal openings are connected to form a new network of smaller triangles diagonally, or the linear tension members connecting the diagonals are tensioned over star-shaped polygonal openings that include triangles. This not only reduces the amplitude of vibration of the tensegrity itself, thereby increasing the stability of the structure, but also allows the stability of the structure to be maintained even if the compression members partially buckle or the tension members break.

[0038] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, adding diagonal tension members to triangular, pentagonal and hexagonal polygonal openings to form a new network in which all polygonal openings are made into triangular or more subdivided triangular shapes can be easily achieved by adding linear tension members connecting the diagonals to the polygonal openings.

[0039] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, tension members can be applied radially from the center of triangular, pentagonal, and hexagonal polygonal openings to make all polygonal openings into triangles, or the vertices of the polygonal openings can be connected to form a new network that is further subdivided diagonally, which can be easily achieved by applying linear tension members locally to only the polygonal openings in a minimal manner.

[0040] In other words, rather than converting all pentagonal openings of a hemispherical tensegrity into triangles, converting all square openings around the base into triangles can achieve structural stability equivalent to that of a full spherical tensegrity.

[0041] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 4, the ends of each columnar compression member and the linear tension member can be connected by engaging the massive crimping material provided on the columnar compression linear tension member with a hole formed in the center of a slit formed radially at the end of the columnar compression member or with the outer opening of the slit, thereby making it possible to select between these two options, and thereby making it easy to adjust the length of the linear tension member.

[0042] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 5, the massive caulking material is formed from a knot of a linear tensile member, so that the massive caulking can be easily formed without using other members such as metal.

[0043] As described above, the tensegrity structure and construction method of the present invention not only increase the stability of the structure, but also enable the stability of the structure to be maintained even if the compression members partially buckle or the tension members break. As a result, it becomes possible to realize hemispherical dome-shaped tensegrity structures, and the length of the linear tension members can be easily adjusted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a tensegrity structure of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing only a new network added to a conventional tensegrity network of the tensegrity structure of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional tensegrity structure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a tensegrity structure of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the tensegrity structure of the present invention in the form of a hemispherical dome-shaped tensegrity structure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the tensegrity structure of the present invention, in which the tensegrity structure is a hemispherical dome-shaped tensegrity structure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of the tensegrity structure of the present invention when it is configured as a hemispherical dome-shaped tensegrity structure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between columnar compression members and linear tension members in the tensegrity structure of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is another explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the columnar compression members and the linear tension members in the tensegrity structure of the present invention. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a block crimping material formed by a knot of a linear tension member. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional example. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of tension members and compression members of a conventional tensegrity structure. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional tensegrity structure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the linear tension member newly added to the tensegrity structure of the conventional example of FIG. 13 according to the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the tensegrity structure of the present invention, which is completed by adding a new linear tension member to the conventional tensegrity structure of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the tensegrity structure of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view showing only a new network added to a conventional tensegrity network, with the same reference numerals used for the same components as in Figure 10 showing the conventional example.

[0046] The present invention relates to a tensegrity structure in which a plurality of discontinuous columnar compression members arranged without contact with each other are tensioned and integrated symmetrically or asymmetrically by a closed network of linear tension members. Linear tension members are added to connect the centers and vertices of polygonal openings, which can be triangular, pentagonal, quadrangular, or hexagonal, to form a new network in which all polygonal openings are triangulated, or in which the vertices of the polygonal openings are connected diagonally to form further subdivided openings.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a symmetrical tensegrity structure 101, which is the same as a conventional tensegrity structure, constructed with columnar compression members 10 and tension members 20.

[0048] The columnar compression members 10 are balanced by tension from the tension members 20 connected to both ends, and do not come into contact with other columnar compression members 10.

[0049] The columnar compression member 10 is not particularly limited in material as long as it has the necessary rigidity, and can be made of wood, steel, metals such as aluminum alloys and titanium alloys, reinforced plastics, resins such as carbon, or synthetic fiber materials. Furthermore, if it is made of solid or hollow rod material, its cross-sectional shape can be any, such as rectangular or circular, and it can be solid or hollow except for the ends.

[0050] The tensile member 20 is not limited to any particular material as long as it has the strength required to construct a tensegrity structure as a tensile member, but the tensile member can be made of any suitable material with low elongation, such as metal fiber, carbon fiber, or aramid fiber.

[0051] The columnar compression member 10 does not have to be composed of an end of the compression member body 11 and an end of a separate concave joint portion 30 as in the conventional example, but may be a solid columnar member having a slit 1 at the end into which the block-shaped crimping material 60 provided on the tension member 20 can be inserted.

[0052] The slit 1 is formed in the radial direction at the end of the columnar compression member 10, and is a cut of a predetermined length that divides the columnar compression member 10 into two parts in the length direction from the end face of the columnar compression member 10.

[0053] A tunnel-shaped hole 2 is formed in the center of this cut, and a block-shaped caulking material 60 provided on the tension member 20 can be inserted into the hole 2.

[0054] The slit 1 has a cut width that allows the thickness of the tension member 20 to pass through, and the tension member 20 that passes through the slit 1 laterally can lock the lump-shaped caulking material 60 at the outer opening of the slit 1.

[0055] The lump-shaped crimping material 60 provided on the tension member 20 may be formed from metal, resin, etc. and fixed to the tension member 20 by adhesive or other methods, but in this case it is configured as a knot of the tension member 20 made of ultra-high strength, high elasticity, and low elongation fiber. As shown in Figure 9, the knot equivalent to the lump-shaped crimping material can be configured with either a fixing knot 66, a fixing knot 67, or a saddle knot 68.

[0056] If the crimping material is implemented using knots, the tensegrity structure will be lighter and the number of structural components can be reduced, allowing it to be constructed more economically in a shorter time. Furthermore, since it is not mechanically crimped like metal crimping, it does not damage the fibers or coating material of the tension members. Since no crimping material is used, it is unrelated to the pull-out strength. Bends can also be formed from both ends of two tension members.

[0057] The construction process of the tensegrity structure 101 is carried out using 30 sets of Z-shaped tensegrity units 105, each consisting of a compression member 10 and a tension member 20, as shown in FIG.

[0058] A single continuous linear tensile member 20 is prepared using a Z-shaped tensegrity unit 105, and this linear tensile member 20 is hung across both ends of one columnar compression member 10 and both ends of another columnar compression member 10 that intersects it in three dimensions to form a unit loop. Unit loops are then formed sequentially on adjacent columnar compression members 10, connecting all of the columnar compression members 10 with the single continuous columnar compression member. Next, both ends of the columnar compression member are tensioned, and each end of each columnar compression member 10 and the linear tensile member 20 are fixed by engaging massive caulking materials 60 provided on the linear tensile member 20 with holes 2 formed in the center of slits 1 formed radially at the end of the columnar compression member or with the outer openings of the slits 1, thereby creating a tensegrity structure 101.

[0059] The tensegrity structure 101 created in this way has triangular or pentagonal openings, so linear tension members 3 are added to connect the diagonal corners of these openings to make all of the polygonal openings into full triangles or more subdivided triangles.

[0060] Figure 2 shows the newly added linear tension member 3. The linear tension member 3 has a central bundling section 4 and extends radially from this center, with its ends engaging with the slits 1 of each columnar compression member 10.

[0061] The binding section 4 may be formed by knotting the linear tension members 3, but as shown in Figure 4, it can also be formed by using a metal ring or the like to tie the ends of the linear tension members 3 to. By using a ring in this way, the angle of the radially extending linear tension members 3 can be stabilized.

[0062] In addition, a block of crimping material 60 is provided at the end of the linear tension member 3 opposite the binding portion 4, and this is engaged with a hole 2 formed in the center of the slit 1 formed at each end of each columnar compression member 10 or with the outer opening of the slit 1.

[0063] As described above, the present invention adds linear tension members to the centers and vertices of polygonal openings, either triangular, pentagonal, quadrangular, or hexagonal, in a conventional tensegrity structure, thereby forming a new network in which all polygonal openings are made into triangles, or in which the vertices of the polygonal openings are connected diagonally to form further subdivided structures. This is again shown in Figures 13 to 15.

[0064] Figure 13 shows an example of a tensegrity structure in which multiple discontinuous columnar compression members arranged without contact with each other are symmetrically or asymmetrically tension-integrated by a closed network of linear tension members.

[0065] FIG. 14 shows a new linear tension member that is stretched across any of the polygonal openings of the triangular, pentagonal, rectangular, and hexagonal shapes of the tensegrity structure of FIG.

[0066] Figure 15 shows the tensegrity structure of the present invention to which a new network has been added in this way. Diagonal tension members are added radially from the center of the triangular, pentagonal, and hexagonal polygonal openings to make all of the polygonal openings into triangles, or the vertices of the polygonal openings are connected to form a new network of smaller triangles divided diagonally.

[0067] In the present invention, a hemispherical dome-shaped tensegrity structure can be created by removing the lower half of the spherical polyhedron tensegrity structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0068] The spherical polyhedron tensegrity structure is constructed by connecting columnar compression members and linear tension members, and has at least one pair of opposing polygonal pyramid sections made up of columnar compression members of equal length.

[0069] In the case of a hemispherical tensegrity, the total triangulation of the pentagonal openings results in the elimination of compression members at the base, resulting in the pentagonal openings being formed into square openings.

[0070] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, this rectangular opening is triangulated by one diagonal line 3.

[0071] At the same time, by triangulating all five square openings in the base with diagonal lines, the entire hemispherical tensegrity structure can be stabilized most effectively. This also makes it possible to realize a hemispherical dome-shaped tensegrity structure. Figure 5 shows the completed structure.

[0072] In this way, by converting all pentagonal and hexagonal openings of a hemispherical tensegrity into triangles (the square openings are those around the base), it is possible to achieve structural stability equivalent to that of a full spherical tensegrity, and this method also has the same effect on hemispherical tensegrity structures with a large total number of compression members (see the shaded area in Figure 6).

[0073] The tension of the fully triangulated network can be adjusted by moving and inserting knots, which consist only of tension members and are inserted into grooves at the ends of each compression member, thereby making it possible to vary the length of the tension members between adjacent knots.

[0074] Alternatively, multiple fine-tuning knots can be formed in advance at the ends of each tension member to accommodate changes in the elongation of the tension members locally in the tensegrity. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1...Slit 2...hole 3...Linear tension member 4...Binding part 10...Compression member 11...Compression member body 20...Tension member 30...Concave joint part 40...Cylindrical tunnel 50...Induction slit 60...Lump caulking material 66...Secure knot 67...Secure knot 68...Musubi 70...Coated tension section 80...Convex joint part 101...Tensegrity structure 105...Z-shaped tensegrity unit

Claims

1. A tensegrity structure in which a number of discontinuous columnar compression members arranged without contact with each other are tensioned and integrated symmetrically or asymmetrically by a closed network of linear tension members, characterized in that linear tension members are added to connect the centers and each vertex of polygonal openings, which are either triangular, pentagonal, quadrangular or hexagonal, to form a new network in which all polygonal openings are made into triangles, or in which each vertex of the polygonal openings is connected diagonally to form further subdivided tensegrity structures.

2. The tensegrity structure according to claim 1, wherein linear tension members radially connecting the center of the polygonal opening and each vertex are stretched across the polygonal opening.

3. 2. The tensegrity structure according to claim 1, which is a hemispherical dome-shaped tensegrity structure.

4. A method for tensioning linear tension members to form a tensegrity structure in which a plurality of discontinuous columnar compression members arranged without contact with each other are tensioned and integrated symmetrically or asymmetrically by a closed network of linear tension members, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a single continuous linear tension member; stretching this linear tension member across both ends of one columnar compression member and both ends of another columnar compression member that intersects it in three dimensions to form a unit loop; sequentially forming unit loops on adjacent columnar compression members while connecting all of the columnar compression members with the single continuous columnar compression member; tensioning both ends of the columnar compression member; and fixing each end of each columnar compression member and the linear tension member by engaging massive caulking material attached to the linear tension member with a hole formed in the center of a slit formed radially at the end of the columnar compression member or with the outer opening of the slit, thereby creating a tensegrity structure.

5. 5. The method for constructing a tensegrity structure according to claim 4, wherein the massive crimping material is formed by a knot of a linear tension member.

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