1070-9932/13/$31.00©2013IEEE n this article, we present a robot capable of autonomously traversing and manipulating a three-dimensional (3-D) truss structure. The robot can approach and traverse multiple structural joints using a combination of translational and rotational motions. A key factor in allowing reliable motion and engagement is the use of specially designed structural building block...

Actuators formed from piezoelectric ceramics were embedded in truss rods to make up active rods. The paper used mechanical knowledge, static stiffness method and the finite element method to analyze the active rod and the smart truss structure and then model them. In order to solve the difficult problem of number optimization, the paper put forward the actuator existence variable and optimized ...

Deterring the optimum design of large-scale structures is a difficult task. Great number of design variables, largeness of the search space and controlling great number of design constraints are major preventive factors in performing optimum design of large-scale truss structures in a reasonable time. Meta-heuristic algorithms are known as one of the useful tools to deal with these problems. Th...

Many methods have been developed for structural size and configuration optimization in which cross-sectional areas are usually assumed to be continuous. In most practical structural engineering design problems, however, the design variables are discrete. This paper proposes two efficient structural optimization methods based on the harmony search (HS) heuristic algorithm that treat both discret...

Buildup of internal self-stresses in hyperstatic adaptive structures resists actuation. A recent paper by Guest and Hutchinson (2003) shows that periodic in*nite truss structures cannot be both statically and kinematically determinate structures; therefore, a rigid in*nite lattice bar framework must be hyperstatic. This paper shows that it is possible to design adaptive periodic in*nite truss s...

1 Motivation Many large terrestrial structures—towers, bridges, construction scaffolds—are sparse assemblies of rigid bars connected together at structural nodes. This is also true of many in-space structures such as antennae, solar panel supports, and space-station members. A long-term application of truss climbing robots is automated assembly, repair, and inspection of such truss-like structu...

Engineers often decide to measure structures upon signs of damage to determine its extent and its location. Measurement locations, sensor types and numbers of sensors are selected based on judgment and experience. Rational and systematic methods for evaluating structural performance can help make better decisions. This paper proposes strategies for supporting two measurement tasks related to st...

In order to assist students, gain conceptual understanding of internal forces, a physical manipulative of a truss was developed in order to help students visualize, feel, and analyze the behavior of the material being manipulated. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how a physical manipulative of a truss contributed to the conceptual understanding of truss analysis in static...

Truss structures are widely used in construction of large-scale buildings. Design of steel structures is standardised in detail through set of European standards called EUROCODE. One of these standards, ENV 1993-1-8 deals with design of joints, but it does not cover the design of conical element for reduction of circular hollow section to the joint. Finite element method was used in this paper ...

A new method for fabricating carbon fiber composite pyramidal truss cores was developed based on the molding hot-press technique. In this method, all the continuous fibers of composite are aligned in the direction of struts and thus, the truss structure can fully exploit the intrinsic strength of the fiber reinforced composite. The microstructure and organizations of fibers of fabricated compos...