Theoretical And Experimental Studies Of A New Type Of Cable-Strut Structure

In this paper, the definition of semi-tensegrity system and its classification are concluded. There are mainly two types of semi-tensegrity systems, one is"integrity system"and the other is"unit-assembled system", the method how to generate initial forms is also presented, a series of units, including a new type of self-stressed equilibrium reciprocal unit structure, which is named latern unit, are proposed, some novel grid structures could be assembled by jointing latern units together, then the latern unit and its structural parameters are studied, proper structural parameters are proposed.Theoretical analysis to a plate grid structure, which is formed by jointing latern units together, is also carried out, the results show some valuable features of this grid. To improve the stiffness, three methods could be used; the dynamics analysis results are also presented.Model experiment is also carried out to a 2x7 plate grid, the case of selfweight only, full loading and half loading are studied, the results show that the plate grid assembled by latern units is stability and expected use in fact, furthermore, the paper give some advices to improve the structural performances.The new type of node is developed, its virtues and drawbacks are introduced. At last, the paper concludes the virtues and drawbacks of the grid, which is introduced in the theoretical analysis and model experimental test. Some other novel structures, including two"unit-assembled systems"and two"integrity system"conceptions are presented.