Vibration Analysis and Genetic Algorithm-based Form Finding of Prismatic Tensegrity Structures Surrounded by a Sphere

This study focuses on the investigation of intelligent form-finding and vibration analysis of a triangular polyhedral tensegrity that is enclosed within a sphere and subjected to external loads. The nonlinear dynamic equations of the system are derived using the Lagrangian approach and the finite element method. The proposed form-finding approach, which is based on a basic genetic algorithm, can determine regular or irregular tensegrity shapes without dimensional constraints. Stable tensegrity structures are generated from random configurations and based on defined constraints (nodes located on the sphere, parallelism, and area of upper and lower surfaces), and shape finding is performed using the fitness function of the genetic algorithm and multi-objective optimization goals. The genetic algorithm's efficacy in determining the shape of structures with unpredictable configurations is evaluated in two distinct scenarios: one involving a known connection matrix and the other involving fixed or random member positions (struts and cables). The shapes obtained from the algorithm suggested in this study are validated using the force density approach, and their vibration characteristics are examined. The findings of the comparative study demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed methodology in determining the vibrational behavior of tensegrity structures through the utilization of intelligent shape seeking techniques.