Abstract
Based upon basic energy concepts, a simple method is proposed for the analysis (specifically the more difficult case of form-finding) of cablenet and membrane structures. A truncated strain expression is used to define the total potential energy. By using a comparative approach from finite element techniques it is shown that a pseudo load potential can be defined. The final energy form is minimized using the Powell algorithm. Example solutions are included.
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Gosling, P.D. A discrete energy formulation for the definition of optimal tension structures. Structural Optimization 16, 76–80 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01214003
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01214003