Current attempts to build fast, efficient, and maneuverable underwater vehicles have looked to nature for inspiration. However, they have all been based on traditional propulsive techniques, i.e., rotary motors. In the current study a promising and potentially revolutionary approach is taken that overcomes the limitations of these traditional methods—morphing structure concepts with integrated actuation and sensing. Inspiration for this work comes from the manta ray (Manta birostris) and other batoid fish. These creatures are highly maneuverable but are also able to cruise at high speeds over long distances. In this paper, the structural foundation for the biomimetic morphing wing is a tensegrity structure. A preliminary procedure is presented for developing morphing tensegrity structures that include actuating elements. To do this, the virtual work method has been modified to allow for individual actuation of struts and cables. The actuation response of tensegrity beams and plates are studied and results are presented. Specifically, global deflections resulting from actuation of specific elements have been calculated with or without external loads. Finally, a shape optimization analysis of different tensegrity structures to the biological displacement field will be presented.
Skip Nav Destination
e-mail: hb8h@virginia.edu
Article navigation
July 2007
Technical Papers
The Analysis of Tensegrity Structures for the Design of a Morphing Wing
Keith W. Moored,
Keith W. Moored
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
University of Virginia
, Charlottesville, VA, 22904
Search for other works by this author on:
Hilary Bart-Smith
Hilary Bart-Smith
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: hb8h@virginia.edu
University of Virginia
, Charlottesville, VA, 22904
Search for other works by this author on:
Keith W. Moored
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
University of Virginia
, Charlottesville, VA, 22904
Hilary Bart-Smith
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
University of Virginia
, Charlottesville, VA, 22904e-mail: hb8h@virginia.edu
J. Appl. Mech. Jul 2007, 74(4): 668-676 (9 pages)
Published Online: July 19, 2006
Article history
Received:
January 16, 2006
Revised:
July 19, 2006
Citation
Moored, K. W., and Bart-Smith, H. (July 19, 2006). "The Analysis of Tensegrity Structures for the Design of a Morphing Wing." ASME. J. Appl. Mech. July 2007; 74(4): 668–676. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2424718
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Sound Mitigation by Metamaterials With Low-Transmission Flat Band
J. Appl. Mech (January 2025)
Deformation-Dependent Effective Vascular Permeability of a Biological Tissue Containing Parallel Microvessels
J. Appl. Mech (January 2025)
Mechanics of a Tunable Bistable Metamaterial With Shape Memory Polymer
J. Appl. Mech (January 2025)
Related Articles
Median and Paired Fin Controllers for Biomimetic Marine Vehicles
Appl. Mech. Rev (July,2005)
Design of Machines With Compliant Bodies for Biomimetic Locomotion in Liquid Environments
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control (March,2006)
Design of a Bio-Inspired Spherical Four-Bar Mechanism for Flapping-Wing Micro Air-Vehicle Applications
J. Mechanisms Robotics (May,2010)
Design Methodology for Biomimetic Propulsion of Miniature Swimming Robots
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control (March,2006)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
IBC: Individual Based Choice
International Conference on Advanced Computer Theory and Engineering (ICACTE 2009)
Breathing and Living Walls
Advanced Energy Efficient Building Envelope Systems
Various Structures
Design of Plate and Shell Structures