Seismic Behavior of Tensegrity Barrel Vaults

Space structures are mostly interested for their lightness. One of the recent branches of space structures are called tensegrity structures. These structures are composed of compression bars and prestressed cables. There are not sufficient works about dynamic characteristics and behavior of these structures. Sultan et al carried out some research on nonlinear dynamic behavior of these structures [1]. Ben Kahla and Moussa studied the dynamic effects of rupture of a cable in an expanded tetrahedron [2]. Ben Kahla also has carried out a numerical analysis study of seismic behavior of a tensegrity frame[3]. Following these studies, in this research a set of tensegrity barrel vaults are considered and their seismic behavior is studied.