Study on robust structures. (1st Report) Concept of robust structure and its design method

Recent advances in intelligent adaptive structures which can adaptively resist external disturbances by changing their forms or configurations have generated interest among designers of space structures. When animals and plants are subjected to many external disturbances, it can be observed that they maintain themselves in two alternative ways: an adaptive way and a robust way. In the latter, they may have strong structures, say, robust structures against any kind of external forces. In this study, primary interest is placed on presenting a basic concept of robust structures and a design method. Detail discussions on robust structures will be presented in following reports, but simple examinations are shown in this report.