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Tensegrity for Engineers

Tensegrity is a structural strategy coined by Buckminster Fuller that uses tension rather than compression for structural integrity, allowing designs to use less material. It works well with materials that are as strong in tension as compression. Tensegrity is seen in bicycle wheels, where thin, tensioned spokes connect the hub to rim and the inflated tire's internal air pressure puts it in tension to maintain its shape. Designs that resist compression are resistant to buckling, while parts under tension will only fail at the material's yield strength, so tensegrity allows for thinner, lighter elements without compromising strength.

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Trevor G. Samaroo
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133 views1 page

Tensegrity for Engineers

Tensegrity is a structural strategy coined by Buckminster Fuller that uses tension rather than compression for structural integrity, allowing designs to use less material. It works well with materials that are as strong in tension as compression. Tensegrity is seen in bicycle wheels, where thin, tensioned spokes connect the hub to rim and the inflated tire's internal air pressure puts it in tension to maintain its shape. Designs that resist compression are resistant to buckling, while parts under tension will only fail at the material's yield strength, so tensegrity allows for thinner, lighter elements without compromising strength.

Uploaded by

Trevor G. Samaroo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LEARNING RESOURCE

Tensegrity

INTRODUCTION

Tensegrity is a term coined by Buckminster Fuller to describe the You’ll see tension helping to lightweight a bicycle wheel in two
strategy of using tension for structural integrity. Sometimes ways. The spokes that connect the hub and the rim are in tension,
turning compressive stress into tensile stress can help you and can be much thinner and lighter than if they were in
reduce material use. It’s ideal when working with materials that compression. The inflated rubber tire is also in tension and
have strength in tension, which is similar to their strength in maintains its shape due to its internal air pressure.
compression.

STRENGTH IN TENSION

Any design that resists compression forces is also resisting


buckling. Compression can buckle your product long before the
strength of the materials fail, especially in long or skinny parts.
By contrast, a part under tension will fail at the yield strength of
the material. So you can make the elements in tension thinner
without compromising structural integrity.

| academy.autodesk.com LIGHTWEIGHTING: TENSEGRITY

p. 1

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