I attended the ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) Conference in Anaheim, CA between May 27-30, 2025, where I presented my paper, “Force-stable reconfigurable truss structures using quadrilateral linkage principles”. This work introduces a class of reconfigurable truss systems that can both move and reliably carry load, by embedding quadrilateral linkage behavior into otherwise conventional truss topologies.
In the talk, I walked through how these structures transition between configurations while remaining force-stable, meaning they don’t rely on external bracing or locking devices to hold their shape under load. I discussed the underlying linkage mechanics, the role of joint rotational stiffness, and how we use nonlinear structural analysis to trace equilibrium paths through large displacements. I also showed how small changes in geometry and stiffness can switch the structure between kinematically flexible, deployable modes and stiff, load-bearing configurations, opening up applications in rapidly deployable systems, adaptive roofs, and temporary works.
Presenting at EMI 2025 was a chance to stress-test the ideas in front of people who live and breathe mechanics and stability. The questions I received pushed on practical issues—joint detailing, robustness to imperfections, and how these concepts might scale to real structures with code constraints and construction tolerances. This work was recognized with 2nd Place in the 2025 ASCE EMI Conference Structural Stability Student Paper Competition, which was a solid validation that the community sees value in combining classical stability theory with reconfigurable, mechanism-inspired design.