Shape Control of Cable-Network Structures Based on Concept of Self-Equilibrated Stresses

The shape control methods of cable-network structures are investigated. A cable-network structure is a structure that consists of networks of many cables. Novel control methods based on the concept of self-equilibrated stresses are proposed. The self-equilibrated stresses of cable-network structures with nominal or objective shape are calculated by the force density method. Control inputs are determined from these self-equilibrated stresses. This method is applied to reconfigurable antennas consisting of cable networks. The shape control of the antennas is carried out by the proposed or conventional method. The efficiencies of these control methods are compared by numerical simulation. An adequate shape control is achieved without the iteration step by the proposed method. The shape control results obtained by the proposed method are better than those obtained by the conventional method. It is clarified from the comparison that shape control using the proposed method is efficient.