The influence of dimensional parameters on the kinetic range of four systems of deployable structures with hinged nodes and rigid rods

Abstract

In several previous studies regarding foldable structures comprised of rods and knots, it has been usual to simplify their geometry to lines and points respectively. However, this study assumes that the dimensions that these elements necessarily acquire (due to their material condition) constitute an important issue in the folding and unfolding process. To test this hypothesis, the research first defines the concept of kinetic range and its various variants and studies how variations in the radius of the rods, the eccentricity of the knots and the opening angle influence this parameter. Furthermore, this study will demonstrate that this parameter is extensible to bar bundle systems and scissors systems and finally will verify that the results obtained by using algorithm-driven models are also verifiable by mathematical methods and experimentation using physical models. As a result, the methodology followed in this article allows the inclusion of a comparative table that classifies the performance of the structural systems studied in order to establish which is the optimum in relation to their kinetic range.