Subdivision and approximation of free-form steel structures
Development of a methodology for quadrangular subdivision of free-form steel shapes into optimized producible panels. Implementation in a semi-parametric tool
T. van Loon (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
P. Nourian Ghadikolaee – Mentor (TU Delft - Design Informatics)
P Eigenraam – Mentor (TU Delft - Structural Design & Mechanics)
DK Czischke – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Housing Management)
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The Grasshopper definitions that are developed for this research are stored in this GitHub repository
https://github.com/VLThomas/Graduation-Project_Thomas-van-Loon-2019Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
Due to technological innovations free-form shapes in architecture can be seen more often nowadays. For instance in façades, roofs and pavilions. In between this design shape and actual producible shape lays a complex process that has to do with approximating and subdividing this shape in economically producible panels. Restrictions for production depend on the used materials, production techniques and the method of assembly. The aim of this research is to develop a method for manufacturing free-form steel structures – with a guarantee for high accuracy – relying only on a CNC laser cutter. This methodology consist out of three parts. The first part focusses on generating a quadrangular subdivision based on the topology of the shape. The second part explains a global approach that increases the developability in the panels, while maintaining a certain accuracy to the original shape. Lastly the modified geometry is transformed to structural elements on which a preliminary structural analysis is executed to provide an estimation of the required dimensions of the elements.