Compliant multistable tensegrity structures with simple topologies

Abstract

This paper describes a method to identify compliant tensegrity structures with multiple states of self-equilibrium. The considered algorithm is based on the repeated use of a form-finding procedure, using the static Finite-Element-Method. The algorithm can be used to develop compliant multistable tensegrity mechanisms with simple topologies. Therefore three planar tensegrity mechanisms with two or three stable equilibrium configurations are exemplary considered and verified experimentally.