Abstract Tensegrity structures present new possibilities to the field of structural engineering, owing to their ability to efficiently distribute compressive loads associated with their non-orthogonal design. Previous research has shown that when pretensioned, tensegrities exhibit higher resistance to compressive loading. However, over-tensioning can have adverse effects, reducing the tensegrities overall resistance to compressive loading. The geometry of a tensegrity affects how the structure reacts to loading, and the prestress and loading can concurrently affect geometry. This paper uses g...