Tension Truss Concept and Formation of Geodesic Shapes in Space

Abstract

This paper presents the basis of tension truss concept for formation of a geodesic shape in space by a tensile structure. The geodesic shape in architecture is usually formed by triangulated rigid truss members. The concept of tension truss, proposed by the present author, consists in tensioning a triangulated cable network to form a rigid geodesic shape in 3-space. The compact packaging, lightweight, and simplicity in joints design can be achieved by this concept. Since the surface shape is uniquely determined by lengths and the arrangement of cable truss members, the shape adjustment can be done easily. These characteristics are well fitted for very large space-borne antenna reflectors, and the developmental efforts are currently done in my institute aiming at a large deployable antenna of the mission called space VLBI. The current result is reported in this paper. In general, the present concept opened the way anew for construction of tensile structures in a shape having positive Gaussian curvature.