Optimal Shape Adjustment of Large High-Precision Cable Network Structures

Traditional shape adjustment methods for large high-precision cable network structures usually use many actuators and are only applicable to predictable shape distortions. To this end, a new method, namely, the minimum residual nodal displacement method, for optimal shape adjustment of large high-precision cable network structures is developed. The new shape adjustment method can significantly reduce shape distortion of a cable network structure by automatically placing a small number of actuators at optimal locations. This new method is applicable to cable network structures under both predictable and unpredictable shape distortions, and can determine the minimum number of actuators needed to satisfy prescribed design requirement for surface accuracy. In this method, a simple linear relationship between nodal displacements, external loads, and undeformed member lengths of a cable network structure is established, and residual nodal displacement of the structure is minimized. The effectiveness of this new method is proved in numerical simulation results, where a planar cable network structure and a reconfigurable deployable mesh reflector are investigated.