On the use of tensegrity structures for kinetic solar facades of smart buildings Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • 2015 IOP Publishing Ltd. We investigate the use of tensegrity structures with morphing and prestress-stability capabilities for the design of active solar faades of smart buildings. Morphing tensegrity lattices are used to design shading screens composed of umbrella-shaped 'eyes' that are opened and closed by adjusting the elongation in a limited number of cables. Prestressable lattices are instead employed to design superstable Venetian blinds that are composed of orientable slats. Future use of tensegrity solutions for next-generation smart buildings are outlined, with the aim of designing kinetic solar faades that combine morphing abilities with prestress-stability.

published proceedings

  • Smart Materials and Structures

author list (cited authors)

  • Fraternali, F., De Chiara, E., & Skelton, R. E.

citation count

  • 30

complete list of authors

  • Fraternali, F||De Chiara, E||Skelton, RE

publication date

  • September 2015