Asymmetric Cable-Membrane Tensegrity Structure Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current design methods for pre-stress cable-membrane tensegrity structures of an opening type are limited to elastic stage design, failing to fully reflect the structural mechanics characteristics from loading to failure, and cannot adequately address the safety, economy, and rationality requirements due to their inability to handle nonlinear large vertical deformations.
Innovation Solution
A novel cable-membrane tensegrity structure with three layers of radial tension cables and a ring cable, allowing for asymmetric shapes by adjusting tension forces, combined with a multi-stage design method that considers the structural system's nonlinear characteristics, enabling full-process computer simulation analysis and precise tensioning to achieve the desired shape and stress state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If elastic stage design method is used, then design simplicity is improved, but structural safety and reliability deteriorate due to inability to reflect full loading process characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The design method segments the loading process into distinct stages (elastic stage, yield stage, and failure stage), analyzing each stage separately with appropriate mechanical models. This allows comprehensive safety assessment without requiring overly complex unified analysis, resolving the contradiction between design simplicity and structural reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional cable-membrane structure is used, then construction ease is improved, but shape adaptability deteriorates due to symmetrical structural constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric cable arrangements and varying cable tension forces to achieve complex asymmetric building shapes while maintaining construction feasibility. The asymmetric configuration allows the structure to adapt to various architectural requirements without sacrificing construction ease, resolving the contradiction between construction ease and shape adaptability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If pre-stress is proportionally applied on cable and membrane, then structural stability is improved, but construction complexity deteriorates due to multiple tensioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pre-stress to cables and membranes during the construction phase to establish structural stability before full loading. By performing preliminary tensioning actions during construction, the structure achieves required stability without requiring complex post-construction adjustment procedures, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and construction complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for the creation of an asymmetric saddle-shaped stadium roof with improved structural stress and safety, enabling efficient construction and meeting the safety, economy, and rationality requirements by fully reflecting the structural mechanics of the pre-stress tensegrity structure's characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
The cable-membrane structure has unique characteristics of structure system, and can make full use of the tensile characteristics of the cable material and the membrane material
Implementation Method 2
cable-membrane tensegrity structure
Data Source
AI summary
A cable-membrane tensegrity structure which is asymmetric, and construction method and design method thereof are provided. The cable-membrane tensegrity structure comprises a central opening and is formed by a ring cable (4) and three layers of radial cables comprising a suspension cable (1), a ridge cable (2) and a valley cable (3), wherein the suspension cable (1) is located above the ridge cable (2), the ridge cable (2) is located above the valley cable (3), wherein one end of each of the suspension cable (1), the ridge cable (2) and the valley cable (3) is connected to the ring cable (4), and the other end of each of the suspension cable (1), the ridge cable (2) and the valley cable (3) is connected to a peripheral supporting structure (7), wherein a coating membrane (5) is tensioned between the ridge cable (2) and the valley cable (3) that are adjacent to each other and function as a skeleton to tension the coating membrane (5). The method of constructing the cable-membrane tensegrity structure comprises steps of: lifting step by step the suspension cable (1), the ridge cable (2) and the valley cable (3) to positions adjacent to respective cable anchor nodes by a traction device, based on a shape of formed cable-membrane tensegrity structure; and tensioning and anchoring synchronously the suspension cable (1), the ridge cable (2) and the valley cable (3) in place by a tensioning device, so as to achieve a final shape of the cable-membrane tensegrity structure. A multi-stage design method, based on the bearing whole-process, of a cable-membrane tensegrity structure of an opening type is also provided.