Tensegrity Structures!

Tensegrity structures always seem impossible and that’s mainly because the compression elements are not connected to each other. We’re used to buildings and structures being somewhat “stacked” but here that doesn’t happen. They still work when the tension elements provide a state of self-equilibrium.

In this video I discuss how tensegrity structures work and what they have been, and could be, used for.

For more background:
o Check out the referenced letter to Rene Motro as well as the pdf “Kenneth Snelson, Art and Ideas”

I’m not endorsing these and I don’t make any money if you buy one, but they are lots of fun!

I'm Paul Kassabian. I'm a structural engineer and a Principal at SGH in Boston, MA. I taught graduate students at MIT for nine years and currently teach on/off at Harvard's Graduate School of Design (GSD). These are videos based on my structural design projects and years of teaching structures to students.

MUSIC:
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Publisher: Kero Herning - IPI/CAE: 825536431
Composer: Kero Herning - IPI/CAE: 825536431

IM Not gonna lie here, I'ma college drop out but you passion for engineering makes every video that much better ! my favorite professor I never had

[fennycruz]

Physics! WOW! thanks for the Lego built-up ...tensegrity structure explained.

[qwazy]

Thanks you Paul! I hope there is enough interest in this topic to delve deeper into the physics/mechanics/use potential/limits of this. Thanks again and kudos on getting your daughter involved 👏 👏👏 well done!!

[sarbanibanerjee]

Love this! Just had dinner with Jai and Will send on to her! X

[LandonWright-xolk]

Application of a vacuum seal and proper, balanced design results in antigravity 😊

[aschneider]

Folloup video on cable domes would be awesome

[Sage-Poets]

it's good for bridges on mountains..

[YusuphaJammeh-pyeu]

Hi your class is interesting how can I apply your school

[hernandobalaguera]

Inspiring, weightless and delicate. Thank you.

[qwazy]

Ty ty I requested some time ago and thought it may have been forgotten, but happy to see it now posted!! Over the moon. I am unable to view at the moment, but will be watching this video at the earliest opportunity for sure. Amazing. Thanks again!!!! 😊

[musca]

Beautiful video on a captivating kind of structures. Thanks!

[jamesmorrison]

Nice I had in architecture back then ;)

[Adam.Rushing]

I'm curious your thoughts on this sir - Do you think a tensegrity structure (like the one your lovely daughter built, for instance) could be used for buildings in earthquake zones?
One of the best elements (that I've noticed) engineers are designing into earthquake zone structures, is the ability to move...to be flexible or even somewhat mobile. This looks like it could fit the bill.

[dido]

Great presentation!!! First time knowing about this. I love the art display that you showed, very intriguing.

[thanoskoutroumbas]

"I'm Paul's second daughter"
And I express myself as an engineer 😂❤

[ThatJhew]

Due to the lack of legos and a computer with cad, could you assist in answering this;
Is this construction your daughter built in lego repeatable, slightly hanging from the wires so it won't tip over?

Hope you understand what I mean 🙏

Anyway, great video, and inspiring 😃

[riyatomar]

Hello here is afternoon I am wishing you a very good afternoon
Respected teacher i am watching your vedios and they are very informative
But one doubt i have just a few months from now your vedios are on united states codes but teacher there are different codes of different countries can you suggest why not a universal coder rather than different codes of different countries

[estebanfrisch]

Not really a thing, more of an optical illusion. Also, like most of Bucky, not very useful.

[moplum]

What happens if you gently set it upside down? Wouldn’t it still work.