A Study on the Shape Repeatability of a Cable-Network Structure

Abstract

In this study, the shape repeatability of cable-network structures is examined. Cables used for cable networks have nonlinearities between the tensile load and elongation. Therefore, the shapes of cable-network structures have some uncertainty, which leads to diminished shape repeatability. In order to clarify the influence of such nonlinearities, numerical simulations and experiments are carried out. The mechanical properties of the cables are experimentally investigated and their nonlinear characteristics are numerically modeled. The experimental model examined in our previous study is employed as the analysis model. The shape repeatability of the models caused by the nonlinear characteristics of cables and rigid body rotations of nodes are investigated through numerical simulations. The modeled nonlinear characteristics of the cables used in the numerical simulations are validated by comparing with experimental results.