Quasi-static Shape Morphing of Adaptive Columns Toward Funicular Forms

Quasi-static Shape Morphing of Adaptive Columns Toward Funicular Forms | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Quasi-static Shape Morphing of Adaptive Columns Toward Funicular Forms Andres F. Guerra Riano, Peter L. Varkonyi This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9225350/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 7 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Funicular load-bearing structures achieve exceptional efficiency because their shapes follow the natural trajectories of internal stresses. However, time-varying loads can disrupt funicularity if they have fixed geometries. Recently, the authors found that funicularity may be restored through shape adaptation mediated by a simple, novel feedback control law. In this work, we investigate the limit of slow adaptation - an important special case of the new structural paradigm that is relevant to real-world applications in which external loads also evolve slowly. By considering the quasi-static limit of the coupled Newtonian and shape dynamics, we develop a discrete, chain-like multibody model of a morphing column, which enables detailed examination and visualization of shape dynamics. We show that, despite the lack of Newtonian dynamics, the shape dynamics is rich and nonlinear because of large geometric changes. Illustrative examples of shape adaptation reveal cases of successful convergence to the target shape as well as sustained shape oscillations with repeated snapping. The prominent role of elastic buckling instability in shape convergence is highlighted. Linearized evolution equations are used to verify local convergence to the target shape, and a condition of non-local convergence from almost all initial configurations to the target configuration is also developed. Funicularity Adaptive structures Shape Control Stability Analysis Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviews received at journal 23 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 14 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 03 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 30 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 29 Mar, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 25 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 25 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9225350","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":615053326,"identity":"9d9d2653-5abe-4c24-ba9f-775b206ece57","order_by":0,"name":"Andres F. Guerra Riano","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Budapest University of Technology and Economics","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Andres","middleName":"F. Guerra","lastName":"Riano","suffix":""},{"id":615053328,"identity":"86e84f46-6b37-4647-8dbd-a5b8a34e83cf","order_by":1,"name":"Peter L. 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