Abstract
This research introduces new computational workflows to design structural patterns on surfaces for architecture. Developed for design but rooted in the rigor of structural optimization, the strategies are aimed at maximizing structural performance, as measured by weight or stiffness, while offering a diversity of solutions responding to non-structural priorities. Structural patterns are important because they create meaningful difference on an otherwise homogeneous architectural surface; by introducing thickness, ribs, or voids, patterns accumulate material where it is most useful for structural or other purposes. Furthermore, structural patterning with greater complexity is enabled by the recent advancements in digital fabrication. However, designers currently lack systematic, rigorous approaches to explore structural patterns in a generalized manner. The workflows presented here address this issue with a method built on recent developments in computational design modelling, including isogeometric analysis, a NURBS-based finite element method. Most previous work simply maps patterns onto a surface based on stress magnitudes in its continuous, unpatterned state, thus neglecting how the introduction of holes interrupts the flow of forces in the structure. In contrast, this work uses a new trimmed surface analysis algorithm developed by the authors to model force flow in patterned surfaces with greater fidelity. Specifically, the proposed framework includes two interrelated computational modelling schemes. The first one operates on a human-designed topology pre-populated with an input cell shape and position. An optimization algorithm then improves the design through simple geometric operations in the parametric space applied independently on each cell or globally using control surfaces. The second modelling scheme starts with an untrimmed surface design and successively optimizes its shape and introduces new cells. Both optimization systems are flexible and can incorporate constraints and new geometric rules.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Daniel Ã…kesson and Vedad Alic for providing isogeometric analysis code that helped accelerate the early stages of this research project.
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Danhaive, R., Mueller, C. (2018). Structural Patterning of Surfaces. In: De Rycke, K., et al. Humanizing Digital Reality. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6611-5_47
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6611-5_47
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