The hybrid FRP and glass bridge: Research for a material adapted and optimized hybrid pedestrian bridge design

This thesis focuses on the collaboration of two innovative materials - Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) and structural glass – in the design of a (hybrid) footbridge with a 30 meter span. The choice of subject is led by a rising popularity of these materials in bridge design and strengthened by positive recent developments in conceptual small...

Form-finding and construction of ice composite shell structures

By using inflatable moulds and then spraying cellulose-water mixture, one ice dome and two ice towers were built in Harbin in December 2016. During the whole process, form-finding of the inflatable moulds as well as the construction of these ice composite shell structures are very important for the final results.<br/>The mould for the ice dome...

Towards A New Tensegrity System: for Large-span Structures

Throughout the long history of architecture, the effect of gravity is always present in any structures. Surprisingly in tensegrity composition, this primary law of nature seems to be absent. This is because the discontinuous set of struts in the continuous network of proportionally thin cables makes the structures look like floating in the air....

Form-finding of shell structures generated from physical models

Vector form intrinsic finite element is a recently developed and promising numerical method for the analysis of complicated structural behavior. Taking the cable-link element as example, the framework of the vector form intrinsic finite element is explained first. Based on this, a constant strain triangle element is introduced, and relevant...

Structural Fantasy of a Brick Wall: Groningen Earthquake Memorial & Museum

Instead of researching on generic seismic design solutions, I tried to look for more innovative solutions which is also intrigued by my personal fascination of form finding and special structure systems. My objection was to challenge the extreme of brick masonry and try to find a new way of construction with bricks for seismic areas. Instead of...

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

The Vector Form Intrinsic Finite Element method and several other form-finding methods for general networks

Discrete networks is a kind of form-active structural system which actively change its shape under varying load conditions. And for this kind of structural system, form-finding is the initial and essential part in their design process. Before the computer age, people complete the form-finding process using physical models, while with the...

Form-finding of gridshells generated from hanging-chain models by using the Dynamic Relaxation method and the NURBS technique

Hanging models play an important role in shaping a structure since a very early age, and were favored by A. Gaudi, H. Isler, F. Otto and other architects or engineers. Nowadays, with the development of numerical analysis theory and computer technique, it is more accurate and convenient to simulate these physical models via numerical means. Based...

Climatic Ecologies: Huanshi East CBD Improvement 3.0

In recent years, because of the development of other areas of Guangzhou, the Huanshi East CBD is facing fierce competition. What’s worse, this CBD has some inborn weakness when compared to the other CBD due to some urban planning mistakes. The first one is that the core of this CBD is divided into two parts by a busy road. The buildings in this...