In this work, a tensegrity structure with spatially curved members is applied as rolling locomotion system. The actuation of the structure allows a variation of the originally cylindrical shape to a conical shape. Moreover, the structure is equipped with internal movable masses to control the position of the center of mass of the structure. To control the locomotion system a reliable actuation strategy is required. Therefore, the kinematics of the system considering the nonholonomic constraints are derived in this paper. Based on the resulting insight in the locomotion behavior a feasible actuation strategy is designed to control the trajectory of the system. To verify this approach kinematic analyses are evaluated numerically. The simulation data confirm the path following due to an appropriate shape change of the tensegrity structure. Thus, this system enables a two-dimensional rolling locomotion.

In recent years, ecofriendly and renewable energy solutions have gained relevance mainly to lessen the effects of climate change. Governments and companies across the world have commitments to reduce fuel consumption and emissions as part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Solar energy systems have great importance as a renewable energy source; however, they often have large space requirements to be effective, e.g., large areas covered by solar panels, as well as low efficiency and strong dependance on the weather. On the other hand, origami, the art of folding paper, can be a source of inspiration for new technologies and solutions for modern problems. In this paper, origami-inspired solar panels are presented as a potential solution for naval and mining operations. Prototype panels are manufactured based on the Miura-Ori pattern. Using this pattern, the photovoltaic modules can be folded by just one movement, thus reducing their footprint by up to 90%. The prototype photovoltaic modules are then tested on land and on board a vessel, where their efficiency and resistance can be tested. It is shown that naval and mining operations, where fuel consumption can be extremely high and available space is a major constraint, benefit greatly from this kind of development.

The objective of this paper is to describe a model for the simulation of the lateral dynamics of a vehicle, specifically buses, under variable trajectory conditions, such as camber and radius of curvature; in addition, a variable speed is added as a simulation parameter. The objective of this study is the prevention of vehicle rollover and sideslip. An 8 degrees of freedom model was developed, considering a front and a rear section of the bus with its respective suspension system, and both sections have been connected by a torsion spring that emulates the torsional stiffness of the vehicle chassis. A Panhard bar is also added at the rear as an additional element to the suspension and the behavior of the bus when it is added is analyzed. This model also allows the evaluation of the force on each suspension component, which allows for future controllability of the active suspension components. The results show the dynamic behavior of the vehicle, and some indicators are introduced to show the possible sideslip or rollover. As a conclusion, the influence of the road parameters on the dynamic behavior of the bus and the effect of the Panhard bar on the dynamic behavior of the bus can be pointed out.

The increasing use of composites in vehicles in recent years is one of the current trends in the automotive industry. In particular, fiber composites are being used as reinforcements for the main structural elements of vehicles, due to their outstanding specific mechanical properties and low weight. When combined with metal parts, fiber composites can significantly enhance the crashworthiness of vehicle structures, by increasing their energy absorption capabilities and resistance to plastic deformations and permanent damage. This work presents CFRP reinforcements as a case study for enhancing the bending collapse behavior and crashworthiness of bus structures. The required calculations are based on a simplified “concept model” that includes the bending collapse behavior of the structural components, based on theoretical models calibrated with experimental results. The results demonstrate that the use of CFRP reinforcements improves the rollover crashworthiness of a bus structure, and need not be applied to the entire structure, but only to the critical parts where bending collapse is most likely to occur in a rollover accident.

Bending collapse is a failure mechanism in thin-walled shapes that often appear in structures under impact and high bending loads. It is characterized by the formation of a localized zone of large plastic strains, referred to as a plastic hinge, which is typically described in engineering applications by moment–rotation curves. The importance of this topic primarily lies in the estimation of the crashworthiness of vehicle structures, where tubes with rectangular hollow sections are commonly used in structures for rollover protection. In this field, both the strength and the energy absorption of the shape need to be adequately quantified. Although this topic has been covered in past and recent research, the existing studies are based on empirical deformation mechanisms and energy methods that provide limited insight into the mechanical principles governing bending collapse. In this investigation, numerical simulations are employed to analyze the influence of geometric parameters and strain hardening on the bending properties of rectangular hollow tubes. The finite element models are verified with experimental results reported in the literature. The results show that bending collapse is governed by the occurrence of local buckling in the compressed flange and sidewalls. Moreover, the moment–angle curves are correlated with stress and plastic deformation responses in the plastic hinge. This study gives a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical quantities governing the different stages of bending collapse, offering crucial insights for developing theoretical models for novel thin-walled energy absorbers.