Covering Strategies for Deployable Structures: A Classification and Systematic Literature Review

In recent years, the academic community has shown increasing interest in kinetic architecture, particularly in deployable structures. A considerable number of reviews and classification studies have focused on these systems, most of which are composed of rods or scissor-like elements. However, the architectural implementation of such structures requires appropriate covering systems, a topic that has not yet been systematically classified or comprehensively reviewed. Addressing this gap, this study provides a classification framework, a systematic literature review, and an analysis of covering strategies. The proposed classification is organized according to four main criteria: implementation strategy (integrated or separated), material type (rigid or flexible), kinematic relationship (kinetic or static), and motion management (skeleton- or panel-oriented). A detailed bibliometric and scientometric analysis is conducted, focusing on integrated rigid kinetic paneling and employing the PRISMA 2020 protocol to ensure methodological transparency. The reviewed studies are examined in terms of module repetition, arrangement types, and application surfaces. Based on their repetition characteristics, the modules are categorized as point-, line-, or surface-based. Their respective advantages, limitations, and research prospects are discussed.