Tensegrity (Ludwig/D.Kanze) Flashcards
Compressional continuity
foundation is in the ground, firm base from which everything is built
maintained by gravity
movement in this system sucks
tensional integrity
structure is supported internally
constant and continuous tension in the system suspends and supports the structure
allows for movement
three types of forces?
stretching, shearing, and pulling
why is tensegrity a better model for movement?
better energy conversation (system doesn’t have to rebuild)
whole system shifts so that no one single piece bears the force
force doesn’t go straight down, but all around
components of the tensegrity model?
discontinuous compression bearing elements
- rigid struts - tenses the cables
continuous tension bearing elements
- cables connecting the rigid struts - compresses the rigid stuts
what is the reciprocal tension in tensegrity?
struts pulling on cables and the cables pulling on struts
pre-stress
all elements in the tensegrity model are already stressed
continuous elements?
tension bearing elements
discontinuous elements
compression bearing elements
self-assembly
phenomenon where components join together to form larger and more stable structures
often done to allow for the lowest energy
ex/ bilaminar lipid layer
key concepts of tensegrity**
tension is continuously transmitted across all members of the structure
change in one component changes tension in all structure regardless of their location
tensegrity structure repositions itself or changes conformation to best withstand stress and offer maximal strength for give amount of building material (energy efficient)
role of the cytoskeleton?
has many components that are involved in mechanotransduction
-change a mechanical force to a chemical signal
biological discontinuous elements?
microtubules, ECM adhesion molecules, bones
biological continuous elements?
microfilaments, intermediate filament, muscles, ligaments, fascia
mechanotransduction
cells respond to mechanical forces by altering their chemical activities
Tensegrity
the constant and continuous tension in the system suspends and supports the structure
system support internally
more movement allowed
does not have to rebuild
no one piece bears brunt of a force, force in all directions (so protective mechanism such as in a car accident)
3 Forces in tensegrity
Shearing
Stretching
Pulling
Two models of tensegrity
Geodesic dome
Pre-stressed structure
Components of Tensegrity model
Discontinuous compression bearing elements (rigid struts, pulling on cables)
Continuous tension bearing elements (cables that interconnect rigid struts, push on the ends of struts)
Pre-stress
each element is already stressed due to the reciprocal tension of the discontinuous compression bearing elements and the continuous tension bearing elements
Self-assembly
components join together to form larger more stable structure
have new properties once assembled (example phospholipid bilayer becomes selectively permeable)
new properties cannot be properly understood without understanding how the system was assembled (structure and function)
Changes in one component (compressive or tensile)….
changes tension in all structures regardless of their location in the structure.
***TENSION is continuosly trasmitted across all members of the structure
so it is energy efficient b/c the tensegrity structure changes to best withstand stress and offer maximal strength for a given amount of building material
Mechanotransduction
cytoskeleton allows whole cell to respond at once to a mechanical force and change into a mechanical signal
Discontinuous compression bearing elements
Microtubules (appear curved)
ECM adhesion molecules
Bones (separated by spaces and ligaments)
tense the tension bearing elements
