Abstract
Polyhedral Graphic Statics (PGS) is an effective tool for form-finding and constructing complex yet efficient spatial funicular structures. The intrinsic planarity of polyhedral geometries can be leveraged for efficient fabrication and construction using flat sheet materials, such as glass. Our previous research used PGS for the form-finding of a 3 m-span, modular glass bridge prototype to be built with thirteen unique hollow glass units (HGUs) in a compression-only configuration. This paper reports its design optimization, fabrication, and subsequent modular assembly process. The computational modeling of the geometries is facilitated with the efficient half-face data structure provided by PolyFrame, a software that implements PGS. Regular float glass and acrylic are selected as the main structural materials, and they are fabricated using 5-axis water jet cutting and CNC milling techniques. With the help of 3 M™ Very High Bond tape, the glass parts and acrylic parts are bonded as HGUs, which serve as the basic structural and assembly modules. Surlyn sheets are used as interface material to prevent glass-to-glass direct contact between HGUs. The digital model is also simulated using ANSYS to ensure the effectiveness of the design. Due to the lightweight of the HGUs, the assembly of the bridge can be done by one person without the requirement of any heavy construction machinery.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Akbari, M., Lu, Y., Akbarzadeh, M.: From design to the fabrication of shellular funicular structures. In: ACADIA 2021: REALIGNMENT—Towards Critical Computation (Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA)) (2021). https://par.nsf.gov/biblio/10314969
Akbarzadeh, M.: 3D Graphical Statics Using Reciprocal Polyhedral Diagrams (2016). http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/183500
Akbarzadeh, M., Bolhassani, M., Nejur, A., Yost, J.R., Byrnes, C., Schneider, J., Knaack, U., Costanzi, C.B.: The design of an ultra-transparent funicular glass structure. In: Structures Congress 2019, pp. 405–413. American Society of Civil Engineers, Orlando, Florida (2019)
Block, P., Mele, T., Liew, A., DeJong, M., Escobedo, D., Ochsendorf, J.: Structural design, fabrication and construction of the Armadillo vault. Struct. Eng. 96, 10–20 (2018)
Cremona, L.: Graphical Statics. Two Treatises on the Graphical Calculus and Reciprocal Figures in Graphical Statics. Clarendon Press (1890)
Culmann, C.: Die Graphische Statik. Meyer & Zeller (1866)
Kremer, M., Bommes, D., Kobbelt, L.: OpenVolumeMesh—A Versatile Index-Based Data Structure for 3D Polytopal Complexes. In: Jiao, X., Weill, J.-C. (eds.) Proceedings of the 21st International Meshing Roundtable, pp. 531–548. Springer, Berlin (2013)
Lu, Y., Cregan, M., Chhadeh, P., Seyedahmadian, A., Bolhassani, M., Schneider, J., Yost, J., Akbarzadeh, M.: All glass, compression-dominant polyhedral bridge prototype: form-finding and fabrication (2021)
Maxwell, J.C.: On reciprocal figures and diagrams of forces. Philos. Mag. 27, 250–261 (1864)
Nejur, A., Akbarzadeh, M.: PolyFrame (2018)
Nejur, A., Akbarzadeh, M.: PolyFrame, efficient computation for 3D graphic statics. Comput.-Aided Des. 134, 1003 (2021)
O’Callaghan, J., Bostick, C.: The apple glass cube: version 2.0. Challeng. Glass 3, 57–65 (2012). https://doi.org/10.3233/978-1-61499-061-1-57
O’Callaghan, J., Coult, G.: An All Glass Cube in New York City, pp. 1–6 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1061/41016(314)74
Rankine, W.J.M.: XVII. Principle of the equilibrium of polyhedral frames. Lond. Edinb. Dublin Philos. Mag. J. Sci. 27, 92–92 (1864). https://doi.org/10.1080/14786446408643629
Robert McNeel & Associates: Rhinoceros 3D.
Yost, J.R., Bolhassani, M., Chhadeh, P.A., Ryan, L., Schneider, J., Akbarzadeh, M.: Mechanical performance of polyhedral hollow glass units under compression. Eng. Struct. 254, 113730 (2022a). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.113730
Yost, J. R., Cregan, M., Bolhassani, M., Akbarzadeh, M., Lu, Y., Chhadeh, P.A., & Schneider, J.: Experimental Investigation of a Transparent Interface Material for Glass Compression Members. Accepted conference paper manuscript for Challenging Glass Conference 8 (2022b)
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by University of Pennsylvania Research Foundation Grant (URF), National Science Foundation CAREER AWARD (NSF CAREER-1944691- CMMI) and the National Science Foundation Future Eco Manufacturing Research Grant (NSF, FMRG-CMMI 2037097) to Dr. Masoud Akbarzadeh. Also, this study was supported by Villanova University Summer Grant Program (USG) to Dr. Joseph Yost. The multi-axis milling, metalwork, and other facilities were generously supported by Eventscape NY.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors have NO known affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest, or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lu, Y., Seyedahmadian, A., Chhadeh, P.A. et al. Funicular glass bridge prototype: design optimization, fabrication, and assembly challenges. Glass Struct Eng 7, 319–330 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40940-022-00177-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40940-022-00177-x