STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TENSEGRITY SYSTEMS                                                                


Though the title of this chapter 
might suggest an assortment of topics,
each is a factor 
in the consideration of uses of tensegrity.
Tensegrity systems are usually joined together 
with some definite objective or application in mind. 
When building larger figures, 
one usually is thinking of them in a structural context.

Tensegity systems are so fascinating 
that one instinctively feels they must be significant, 
even if it may be difficult 
to predict their most important applications. 
The [original] authors  background in architecture 
has resulted in the use 
of such words as strut, tendon, structure & so on, 
but it should be appreciated 
that for some applications of tensegrity 
such words could be inappropriate. 
The major importance of Tensegrity
may not be for structures 
but for something entirely different, 
such as philosophy 
or as a valuable exercise in three dimensions. 

Before any applications are suggested, 
it is worth considering those characteristics 
which are significant in a practical context.

For example, 
the following characteristics would be significant 
if a system were being considered 
as a basis for a large-scale structure:

1. A tensegrity system is a comprehensive force system 
   & does not need external forces,
   such as those supplied by gravity or anchorages, 
   to keep its components in the correct relationship to one another. 
   Hence, a structure based on a Tensegrity system 
   could be very useful in situations where it would be difficult to use 
   other types of structure.

2. A Tensegrity system is merely a set of forces, 
   though there is a temptation to think of these systems 
   in terms of the struts & tendons of the models. 
   Provided the components of a structure can cope with those forces, 
   it does not matter what the shape the components are 
   or what material is used in their construction. 
   Some Tensegrity-System structures 
   may not look very much like the stick & string models, 
   demonstrated in this text.

3. If a structure is built from struts & tendons, 
   the connections between its components can be simple pinned joints, 
   which make the design and calculation of these figures relatively 
   simple. 

4. All the major forces in a Tensegrity System 
   travel axially down the individual struts & tendons, 
   so these components are taking load in the most efficient way.

5. Many figures vibrate readily, 
   which means they are transfering loads very rapidly, 
   preventing the loads from becoming localized. 
   This could be an advantage in some situations, 
   though in cases where vibrations would be a disadvantage, 
   extra tendons could be added to prevent them.
   
It is possible to introduce other significant characteristics
but they depend on the application, 
the materials & the design 
being contemplated.
The characteristics listed here 
are significant in the structural context, 
but it might be necessary to draw up a very different list 
for another application of the idea of tensegrity.


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