Reserach on Active Structures

将启动对活动构造的探索性研究。主动结构被定义为由两种类型的抗力构件组成的结构：静力或被动构件和动力或主动构件。它们的结合产生了一种结构，能够适应不断变化的环境荷载和不断变化的用途。开展这项研究的重要性在于这样一种信念，即主动结构代表着真正的最佳结构。此外，它们具有满足日益严格的安全和性能要求的最佳潜力。计划第一年的研究将致力于为涉及主动构件特性和时变构型的结构优化奠定基础。可以预见，主动结构在几何、拓扑和材料利用等各个方面都将从根本上不同于传统结构。

Exploratory research on active structures will be initiated. An active structure is defined to be one consisting of two types of load-resisting members: the static or passive members and dynamic or active members. Their integration produces a structure which is adaptive to changing environmental loads and changing usages. The importance of undertaking this research rests on the belief that active structures represent truly optimal structures. Furthermore, they have the best potential of meeting increasingly stringent safety and performance requirements. The research planned for the first year will be devoted to establishing a foundation for structural optimization involving active member characteristics and time-varying configuration. It is envisioned that active structures will be fundamentally different from traditional structures in all aspects: geometry, topology, and material utilization.