Intelligent
structures react
to changes in their environment (loads, movements, etc.) through i) measurement
of structural behaviour, ii) evaluation using knowledge bases, iii) use
of computational control to modify actively structural characteristics and iv)
use of past events to improve structural performance. A computational
framework based on
intelligent control methodology is presented that combines
reasoning from explicit knowledge, search, and learning to illustrate
capabilities of intelligently controlled structures. Using this framework, a
computational system and its application to
tensegrity structures are under
development. Such computational control systems are stimulating the design and
construction of innovative structures, thereby extending design possibilities
for structural engineers.