Parametric Curve Comparison for Modeling Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Substructures

The drive for the cost reduction of floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) systems to the levels of fixed bottom foundation turbine systems can be achieved with creative design and analysis techniques of the platform with free-form curves to save numerical simulation time and minimize the mass of steel (cost of steel) required for design. This...

Simultaneous optimization of shape and topology of free-form shells based on uniform parameterization model

In current optimization methods for free-form shells, the shape and topology are usually optimized separately. These methods are based on the assumption that the shape and topology of a shell influence each other only slightly, but this is not always correct. Moreover, different parameterization models are used in the shape optimization and...

Parametric nodes from idea to realization

The radical change in architectural design transcends the individuality of design towards multivarious individuation. The immersion of parametric diagrams in the representation of architectural objects leads into a process that could be grasped and manipulated with a high degree of efficiency. Computational advanced design techniques are...

Assembly of shells with bi-stable mechanism

Shell structures achieve stability through double curvature, which brings about construction challenges. This paper presents a strategy to design and assemble a panelized shell with a bi-stable mechanism aiming to make the assembly process more efficient. The developed prototype has two states of flat and three-dimensional stable configuration....

An approach on form-diversity of free-form shells generated from numerical hanging models

Integrated front–rear-grid optimization of free-form solar cells

Free-form solar cells expand solar power beyond traditional rectangular geometries. With the flexibility of being installed on objects of daily use, they allow making better use of available space and are expected to bring in new possibilities of generating solar power in the coming future. In addition, their customizable shape can add to the...

Optimizing front metallization patterns: Efficiency with aesthetics in free-form solar cells

Free-form solar cells are cells of unconventional shapes (e.g. hexagonal, leaf-shaped etc). Their flexible shape adds to the aesthetics of the surroundings as well as allows to place them over objects where conventional solar cells might not fit. Evidently, these cells need to be efficient as well, and one of the important factors that...

Digital technology impacts on the Arnhem transfer hall structural design

The new Transfer Hall in Arnhem is one of the key projects to prepare the Dutch railways for the increased future demands for capacity. UNStudio developed a master plan in 1996 for the station area of which the completion of the Transfer Hall in 2015 will be a final milestone. The Transfer Hall is a merging point of passengers, commercial and...

Transparent form-active system with structural glass

Free-form transparent wide-span spatial structures which have being constructed so far, are based on the concept of three sets of components, the structural components, usually steel elements to ensure both compressive and tensional capacity; the glass cladding elements for expressing transparency; and thirdly an in between set for connecting...

The use of SCC and textile reinforcement

In an earlier article (CPI issue of August 2011 [1]) a method was presented for producing precast curved panels with a thickness of a few centimeters using the 'flexible mould method'. This method is the central theme in the PhD study of the first author on the realization of freeform architecture in concrete. The concrete panels manufactured...

AM Envelope: The Potential of Additive Manufacturing for facade constructions

The continuous development of the building envelope over the past hundred years can be exemplified by a few ground-breaking inventions. Firstly, the separation of primary and secondary structure during the beginning of the 20th century; by implementing a curtain wall façade to physically separate the façade from the building. This was followed...

Frei geformte Betonbauteile: Finden einer Fertigungsmethode

Due to the complexity of the freeform shapes it is often not possible to distinguish any repetitive elements in freeform buildings at all. Most freeform building designs consist of many single or double curved surfaces which require complex shapes for the mould and element edges. Since the costs of the moulds (formwork) for precast concrete make...

Free Form Structural Design: Schemes, systems and prototypes of structures for irregular shaped buildings

Irregularly shaped buildings with double curved surfaces, also known as free forms or Blobs, have regained interest from architects. Those actually built however, despite their futuristic look, have load-bearing structures which are still based on conventional principles, as building systems suitable for these new shapes do not exist. The...

Exploration of Interrelationships between Digital Design and Production Processes of Free-form Complex Surfaces in a Web-Based Database