New tensegrity book

[Spencer W Hunter <shunter at U dot Arizona dot EDU>]

I'm cross-posting this from the newsgroup bit.listserv.geodesic
because this one, O Domesteaders, is for you.  I've changed my
unfortunate word choice of "scan" to "skim," and corrected the
spelling of "tetrahedral."
--
I just had my first opportunity to skim Wang's book last night.

Wow!

Not only does he describe simplexes identical to my tensegrity blocks
(only the deployment mechanism is slightly different), he presents
workable versions of designs I had rejected.  For instance, there is a
triangular prism simplex that consists of a central pole with two
runners on it to which are attached three tetrahedral ribs per
runner.  The runners are pushed away from the center of the pole until
the ribs lock into place, much like a double-umbrella that shares the
same pole.  One can imagine a self-deployable version with either a
spring or a compressed-air piston pushing apart the runners, or
perhaps moterized runners that follow a screw-thread etched into the
pole.

In addition, he presents numerous other simplexes both in their
deployed and stowed forms, assembled into formations both expected and
novel.  In the final chapters, he even contrasts some simplexes with
hummingbirds, dragonflys, etc.--definitely not what one would expect
in a dry engineering book.

So, it is a little disappointing to be beaten to an idea, even if it
was done by the one who inspired the idea in the first place; but it's
nice to know it's in very capable hands.  While I don't believe in
waiting for the future to happen, I think I can now confidently
predict that the "instant house" might soon be a reality.  I'm not
talking about tents or dismal inflatable cement bags or any of the
monstrosities on the Architecture for Humanity website, but real
luxurious dwellings that anynone could set up at a moment's notice.

Bob Burkhardt <bobwb at lycos dot com> wrote:
> More information is available at the Spon Press's ecommerce site.
> Go to http://www.sponpress.com
> Click on "Find a Book"
> (your first time here you will need to give your geographical
> location on a special page)
> Enter "Tension Structure" as your search phrase
> Click on the "Hardback Book" link.
> [...]
> >>This fellow has done a lot of work on tensegrity in China and now
> >>has a new book out.
> >>
> >>Bob
> >>
> >>Subject: Wang tensegrity book
> >>
> >>    Note: New tensegrity book by Wang I hadn't seen before.
> >>
> >>AuthorWANG, BINBING.
> >>Title FREE-STANDING TENSION STRUCTURES: FROM TENSEGRITY
> >> SYSTEMS TO CABLE-STRUT SYSTEMS.
> >>Location   Barker Library STACK : Stacks - On Order
> >>Published  LONDON SPON PRESS 2004
> >>FormatBR
> >>ISBN  0415335957
> >>
> >>
> >>    Thanks for using Barton, the MIT Libraries' catalog
> >>    http://libraries.mit.edu/barton
> >
> > If China becomes the leading exponent of advanced dwelling, we'll
> > know who to blame.
> >
> > According to Books in Print, it sells for as little as $120 (US).
> >
> > Synopsis:
> >
> > "Tensile & cable-strut structures are one way to create large
> > indoor spaces uncluttered by columns & other supports. They also
> > enable architects to create unconventional spaces. In this book,
> > Wang provides background engineering for architects & engineers
> > working with tensile structures.
> >
> > "Free-standing Tension Structures provides the background
> > engineering needed to produce these wonderful structures."
> >
> > Jacket description:
> >
> > "This book is the first to provide an in-depth investigation of
> > tensegrity systems from a structural point of view using the law
> > of mechanics for general pin-jointed systems with mechanisms. The
> > inherent load-transfer properties are presented and the concepts
> > are extended to cable-strut systems through a family of
> > structurally efficient grid types. It also provides the first
> > systematic study on the use of cable-strut polyhedra as building
> > blocks and presents new engineering solutions by using lightweight
> > grids and deployable functions, and shows how to extensively
> > express polyhedral art in architecture with new concepts and a
> > wide variety of new forms."
--
Spencer Hunter, Tucson, AZ
gopher://www.u.arizona.edu:80/hGET%20/%7Eshunter