A novel deployment strategy for tensegrity towers

A primary concern regarding the use of classical tensegrity structures for space applications is inferior stiffness, due mainly to the small cross sectional areas of tendons. Structural stiffness can be increased by allowing strut-to-strut connections, but this decreases packaging efficiency. In this study, a novel deployment strategy for tensegrity towers to enhance stiffness is described. The primary focus is a concept for a deployable cylindrical tensegrity tower that begins as a Class-1 tensegrity having high packaging efficiency and, through a multi-stage deployment process, ends as a Class-2 tensegrity having higher stiffness. The initial configuration is chosen as a three-strut Snelson-type tensegrity, while the final geometry is a three-strut Class-2 tensegrity tower. Strut lengths are fixed and deployment is achieved conceptually via actuation of cable lengths. Realizing this structural concept requires consistent connectivity, augmented by additional cable actuation to effect the transition at an appropriate stage of deployment. An initial realization of this concept (configuration and deployment process) is demonstrated. Additionally, nonlinear static analyses reveal the effectiveness of the proposed deployment strategy.