Table Tension

I came across a cool design principle known as "tensegrity" today. Here is a example. It's looks unreal but it's actually true! So how did it works?

If you look the two chains in the middle actually gives an upward force to the upper part of the table. This is because the lower part of the table is fixed means all the joints with the lower part of the tables are also fixed. Now due to gravity the upper part applies a force on the chain downward and in return the chain pull it upward.

Now we got the upward force but it's not enough to keep the table there. We also need to counteract the torque applied due to gravity and other forces which does not pass through the center of mass of the body (due to which the body can rotate about it's center of mass, which is something you don't want to happen when you keep your laptop on it).

That's why the four corners are connected with chains to the bottom part which prevents rotation by cancelling the torque produced.

For example if we place a object on one side of the table. Due to the weight of the object there will be a downward force on that side and an upward force on the opposite side. Now as all the corner are connected with chains. The opposite sides chain will experience an upward force which,in turn, will give a downward force that will cancel force thus produced that prevent rotation.

It may not seem that stable but it actually is! Just don't jump on it.

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Markdown	Appears as
`italics` or `_italics_`	italics
`bold` or `__bold__`	bold
- bulleted - list	bulleted list
1. numbered 2. list	numbered list
Note: you must add a full line of space before and after lists for them to show up correctly
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`> This is a quote`	This is a quote
# I indented these lines # 4 spaces, and now they show # up as a code block. print "hello world"	# I indented these lines # 4 spaces, and now they show # up as a code block. print "hello world"

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `$` ... `$` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$

Comments

Sorry for bad quality photos. I wanted to create some 3D designs with blender but in order to create it I must know how to use blender. Also if you found any problem with explanation please say it. Thanks!

Sanjay Swain - 8 months ago

That is some good stuff. Looks almost like its floating. Blender is pretty easy to use. You just have to use a few shapes to make this. Just watch some tutorials and you'll be fine.

A Former Brilliant Member - 8 months ago

Yes

SRIJAN Singh - 8 months ago

Thanks I am already learning blender. I can now make a burned donut!

@Sanjay Swain – lol

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `\(` ... `\)` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$