Abstract
This paper demonstrates a symbolic procedure to compute the stiffness of structures. Geometrical
design parameters enter in this computation. A set of equations linear in the degrees-of freedom,
but nonlinear in the design parameters, is solved symbolically. The resulting expressions
reveal the values of these parameters which yield desirable properties for the stiffness or
stiffness-to-mass ratio. By enumerating a set of topologies, stiffness properties are optimized
over this set of topologies. This procedure is applied to a planar tensegrity beam. The results
make it possible to optimize the structure with respect to stiffness properties, not only by appropriately selecting (continuous) design parameters like dimensions, but also by selecting an
appropriate topology for the structure (a discrete design decision).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 3rd world conference on structural control : [held in Como from April 7-11, 2002] / |
| Editors | F. Casciati |
| Place of Publication | Chichester |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Pages | 426-430 |
| ISBN (Print) | 0-471-48980-8 |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |