This is a digital model that I created after reading Tristan d'Estree Sterk's essay on actuated tensegrity systems. I've rigged the system to work just like his actuated tensegrity system, so that as the actuator in the middle contracts, the tension members become more rigid, thus making the entire system stronger. The actuated system is one way to create a responsive tensegrity system that can adapt to changing environmental conditions to make a "learning" structure... however you could eliminate the actuator by making the tension members able to expand and contract, much like a muscle. I plan on persuing this line of thought for a future skyscraper, but as yet, is still in a hypothetical stage.
Download Tensegrity Module.zip
Note: This software and its documents are in the public domain and are furnished "as is". The author, Andrew Payne, makes no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the usefulness of the software and documentation for any purpose. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/