School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Ph.D. Thesis Defense Announcement

Origami and Tensegrity: Structures and Metamaterials

By

Ke Liu

Co-Advisors:

Dr. Glaucio Paulino (CEE)

Committee Members:

Dr. Paolo Gardoni (Illinois), Dr. Robert J. Lang, Dr. Arash Yavari (CEE), Dr. Phanish Suryanarayana (CEE), Dr. Tomohiro Tachi (University of Tokyo), Dr. David Zeb Rocklin (Physics)

Date & Time: Wednesday, December 5, 5:00pm

Location: Mason 3132

In recent years, the call for multi-functional structural systems has increased substantially. The scale of the application of such structural systems can range from large outer space structures to micro layouts of metamaterials. Different functionalities often require different configuration states (i.e. geometries of structure), where reconfigurability plays a key for multi-functionality. Different from standard static structures, reconfigurable structures are intended to undergo large configurational changes without accumulating excessive stresses that may cause damage.

In this thesis, we focus on two structural systems that are inherently reconfigurable: origami and tensegrity, due to their theoretical elegance and great potential. Compared to other reconfigurable structural systems such as membranes and truss frames, the present understanding of origami and tensegrity is still limited and thus there is room for further investigation and great creativity. Indeed, both origami and tensegrity are deeply rooted in several aspects of fine arts, and in nature, which opens avenues for disruptive and revolutionary contributions. We aim to address some open questions regarding design, analysis, and fabrication of origami and tensegrity. We aim at improving our understanding of the two structural systems and promoting engineering applications, involving origami engineering and tensegrity engineering.