Conclusion

Tensegrity systems are characterized by a specific structural composition that has baffled many designers. After a phase of understanding their mechanical behavior, these systems are now the subject of numerous publications and a number of projects that are helping to define the contours of their field of structural relevance. The perimeter of this field is linked to self-stressing, morphological modification capacities and active control capability. The latest developments presented in this article report on new configurations that broaden the morphological field, on completed projects, and on design methods using dedicated software. Emphasis is placed on the control capabilities of tensegrity systems, using a pedestrian bridge project as an example.

Engineers have to consider systems that generalize a familiar concept, that of prestressing, widely illustrated...