| Summary |
Shape-finding of tension structures is the process in which we find the appropriate shape that enables the structures to have the initial self-equilibrated states, so-called prestress states. For the shape-finding we usually carry out numerical analysis to solve special equations. Equations are formulated according to the self-equilibrated states or the stational condition of special functionals. This paper proposes generalization of functionals for shape-finding of tension structures. The generalization contains formulations of foregoing methods, such as, force density methods and minimal surface problems. Each functional gives different results of shape-finding while they all satisfy the condition of self-equilibrated states. Some of the newly introduced functionals enables us to find the shape of tension structures with compressive components, such as Tensegrities. In the first half of the paper the concept of the generalization is introduced. In the second half some numerical results are shown and discussed.
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