ABSTRACT
Chapter 5 is the most important part of this book, as it contains detailed analyses of extremal mechanical behaviour of a series of 2D and 3D tensegrity modules and lattices. It presents a methodology for identifying extremal mechanical properties of metamaterials within the continuum model, and proposes a novel methodology for evaluating extremal behaviour of tensegrity metastructures, based on a consecutive use of continuum and discrete approaches. Among 3D systems, the following are considered: five basic modules (three-strut simplex, four-strut simplex, expanded octahedron, truncated tetrahedron, and X-module) and three four-strut simplex lattices. Among 2D systems, five modules (two hexagonal and three octagonal) are analysed, and a discussion on 2D lattices is added. 3D modules and lattices are more important from the practical point of view, especially when bigger scales are to be considered. However, the analysis of 2D systems adds value to the understanding of extremal mechanical properties of tensegrities, as it leads to closed-form solutions for eigenvalues that describe these properties. At the end of this chapter, two selected modules (one in 2D and one in 3D) are used to study scale effects that occur while moving from a material scale to a structural one.
