Manuel Alejandro Fernández-Ruiz

Full and folded forms: a compact review of the formulation of tensegrity structures:

This piece of work presents a simple and compact overview of the design problem of tensegrity structures in two and three dimensions. The main aim of this study is to present the design and calculation of tensegrity structures in their simplest form, avoiding unnecessary simplifications that can rule out solutions, as has happened up until now. As a result of the simplicity of the procedure, two types of tensegrity structures are obtained for the same initial topology: full and folded forms. Several examples are shown.

Structural Knowledge within the 6th Century AD Arch of Taq-iKisra

ABSTRACT The physical form of the ancient arch of Taq-iKisra is studied. A structural analysis is developed considering its unusual geometry. In addition, a physical model using hanging chains to represent the uneven distribution of weight was built. Due to the particular geometry of the arch, it is concluded that the designer-builders of this 6th century arch must have utilized hanging models or physical scale models to derive its unusual geometry. If hanging models were used, this would predate the earliest use of the catenary by Robert Hooke in the construction of arches in the 17th century.