The bow is a simple machine now representing a paradigmatic example for demonstrating the applicability of the structural concept of flexural tensegrity, as chains of segments in unilateral contact coupled by unbonded prestressing tendons. The nonlinear and nonlocal constitutive laws for bending are dictated by the tendon prestress and, explicitly, by the shape of the contact surfaces between segments. Optimization requires functionally graded elastic properties fulfilling different objective functions, in terms of energetic efficiency, arrow exit speed, shooting accuracy, archer’s comfort. An innovative non-recurve composite bow, called FlexTen bow, is theoretically analyzed, prototyped and tested, under static and dynamic conditions. Two different designs are considered, identical except for the shape of the contact surfaces between segments, so that the lever arm of the internal couple is either a linear or a sub-linear function of relative rotation. The FlexTen bow with sub-linear behavior outperforms classical bows, but the advantages, yet to be fully appreciated, also consist in the modular construction and the possibility of packaging.

船首是一台简单的机器，现在代表了一个示范性的例子，用于演示挠曲张力结构概念的适用性，因为单边接触中的链段由未粘结的预应力筋耦合而成。弯曲的非线性和非局部本构律由钢筋束的预应力以及各节之间的接触面的形状决定。要进行优化，就需要在功能上分级弹性特性，以实现不同的目标功能，包括能量效率，射箭出口速度，射击准确性，弓箭手的舒适度。在静态和动态条件下，理论上分析，原型化和测试了一种创新的非反曲复合弓，称为FlexTen弓。考虑了两种不同的设计，除了线段之间的接触面的形状相同，因此内部耦合器的杠杆臂是相对旋转的线性或次线性函数。具有亚线性性能的FlexTen弓的性能优于传统弓，但是其优点（尚待充分了解）还包括模块化结构和包装的可能性。