Development of Adaptive Roof Structure by Variable Geometry Truss

Moveable structure has been used for drawbridge and all-weather stadium with retractable roof. These structures move on the rail or turn around the hinge, and these behaviours are monotony and simplicity. However, near future, the shape of construction changes variously as harmonising with surroundings. In order to realize new constructions, we found VGT (Variable Geometry Truss) developed for foldable parabolic antennas of artificial satellites in space. In this study, the VGT structure was applied to the variable roofs of large hemisphere dome as ground construction. First, the roof design and motion was analyzed by computer simulation. Next, a reduced model of roof was made to investigate the structural characteristics and dynamic motion. As result of experiments for reduced model, the configuration of each roof was able to change smoothly from closing to opening, and also the roof was adept shape to any missions. Regardless of shape, the roof structure was confirmed to be dynamic stability.