Mallas tensegríticas de doble capa y manipulaciones de rot-umbela

Abstract

Double-layer tensegrity grids (DLTGs) are tensegrity spatial systems containing two parallel networks of members in tension forming the top and bottom chords, whose nodes are linked by vertical and/or inclined web members under compression and tension. This paper presents, as an introduction, a brief perspective of the historical proposals for DLTGs over the last years, describing later a new approach for generating these kinds of structures, mainly in geometrical terms. After applying Otero's proposal for designing conventional double-layer grids (DLGs), a new technique, known as Rot-Umbela Manipulation, is applied to their upper and/or lower layers for generating DLTGs. Rot-Umbela Manipulation consists of opening a vertex in the plane for obtaining a certain polygon, which is then rotated by a determined angle. This powerful operation opens an endless catalogue of DLTGs and a very interesting line of research in the field of Tensegrity.