The Design Language of Compression and Tension - Tensegrity

Tensegrity is a design principle which involves a structure which maintains a form due to tensile integrity between two components. One of these components exhibits tensile qualities while the other exhibits compressional qualities. The pre stress created by the harmonious balance between the tensile members and the compression members help the structure retain its shape, usually the compression members being ‘struts’ and the tensile members being ‘cables’.

R. Buckminster Fuller coined the term ‘Tensegrity’ in the 1960s by combining two words ‘tensional’ and ‘integrity’ which conveys the integrity of a structure consisting of tension and compression components.

Tensegrity is majorly used as a principle in architecture while the construction of new structures, shelters, bridges, etc. Apart from this, it is also used in developing advanced materials and deployable devices for aerospace technology. For instance, since 2017, NASA is developing a landing robot called ‘Super Ball bot’ which uses the shock absorption quality of the tensegrity structures to deploy payload from high above the planet’s atmosphere.

We have observed that tensegrity is explored in many fields of architecture, furnishing and product design but like any other design principle, it holds immense possibilities of what can be done. To explore this design principle, we at Saypan+ decided to try our hands on this concept. We created a planter based on tensegrity which used two U-shaped metal pipes for compression members and steel cable for tensile members.

During our work in tensegrity we found out much about how the principle works, about its applications, advantages and limitations that it extends.

Products that use tensegrity tend to be lightweight than most of the structures of the same size, they are adaptive of their environments when external forces are applied. The limitations are that the structures tend to be unstable in a large scale and its hesitant load bearing capacity. Also material strength has to be calculated very accurately while working with these structures.

Tensegrity, as a design principle, can be explored to a greater height and at its full potential. it is being applied in its early stages. Tensegrity can be used to much extent in various fields of product design, utility as well as leisure or an art installation. Saypan+ plans to use Tensegrity in much larger proportions in its upcoming products as well as Architectural Surfaces. A great design theme can also be created in commercial indoor as well as outdoor space design.

list of products explored to find the design language versatility, robotics, NASA Superball Boat, Sculptures, Bamboo Installation Art, Bridges and many more. The true dimensions of tensegrity will be explored by various forms and materials which are yet to come out in the world.

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/tensegrity-approaches-to-in-space-construction-of-a-1g-growable-habitat/

link of NASA innovative advance concept

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eC4A2PXM-U