Adaptable hybrid steel structures. Kinetic modeling and simulation study

Hybrid structures comprise representative examples of structural systems that are capable of adjusting their shape and stiffness to accommodate changing external conditions and functional requirements. A steel planar system presented in the paper consists of hinge connected members, stabilized through struts and continuous diagonal cables with closed circuit. The hybrid structure may obtain different geometries that define different configuration states, through modification of the cables length and the realization of 1-DOF four-bar mechanisms in individual intermediate motion steps involved in the shape transformation sequence. Following a preliminary static analysis for the development of the structural system with regard to its composition, geometry and connections, the kinematic transformability of the prototype structure is examined in simulation studies.