Summary
Stability studies of a tensegrity structure, used as a model for cell deformability, are performed. This structure is composed by six slender struts interconnected by 24 linearly elastic tendons and is prestressed. The tendons and the struts are governed by linear constitutive laws. The struts are allowed to buckle. Since the deformations are large, mathematical bifurcation theory working mainly for small deformations does not work. A general procedure for studying the stability behavior of the particular tensegrity model based upon the elastica theory is presented. The reference placement is defined by the prestress and the equilibrium placements are defined for any applied three-dimensional forces.
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Lazopoulos, K.A., Lazopoulou, N.K. On the elastica solution of a tensegrity structure: Application to cell mechanics. Acta Mechanica 182, 253–263 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00707-005-0288-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00707-005-0288-1