Figure 4 - uploaded by Zach Seibold
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Completed shell and diagram of assembly sequence
Source publication
This research investigates the assembly of funicular shell structures using a single layer of flat ceramic tiles. The objective is to synthesize recent advances in structural prediction software with existing means and methods of on-site assembly. The primary area of investigation is at the scale of the tectonic unit-most specifically how introduct...
Citations
... (a) multi-axis water jet cutting (Bechthold, 2009;Maciej et al., 2011) (b) robotic, hot-blade carving (Clifford et al., 2014) (c) multi-axis milling (Fallacara, 2012;Clifford andMcGee, 2013, 2015) (d) multi-axis, circular blade cutting (e) multi-axis/robotic, hot-wire and abrasive-wire cutting Mcgee et al., 2013;Schwartz and Mondardini, 2014;Feringa and Sondergaard, 2014;Seibold et al., 2014); and (f) three-dimensional sand-printing technology (Soar and Andreen, 2012;Dillenburger and Hansmeyer, 2013) Not all of these techniques are similarly suitable for processing larger volumetric elements. Water jets use a high-velocity and high-pressure jet of water and abrasive substances to cut through material. ...
Addressing both architects and engineers, this dissertation presents a new framework for the form finding and design of fabrication geometry of discrete, funicular structures in the early design phase. Motivated by ongoing debates about digital architecture and funicular shell form finding, it introduces a new methodology for structurally-informed design of curved surface architecture through the use of geometrical rather than analytical or numerical representations of the relation between form, forces and fabrication. Based on Thrust Network Analysis (TNA), new algorithms are presented that enable an interactive exploration of novel funicular shapes, enriching the known formal vocabulary of shell architecture. Using TNA, the framework adopts the same advantages of techniques like graphic statics, providing an intuitive and educational approach to structural design that ranges from simple explorations to geometry-based optimisation techniques. Complementary to this structurally-informed design process, the work reflects on the latest building technologies while also revisiting historic construction techniques for stereotomic stone masonry and prefabricated concrete shells to develop efficient fabrication design strategies for discrete funicular structures. Based on architectural, structural and fabrication requirements, several tessellation approaches for given thrust surfaces are developed for the design of informed discretisation layouts of any funicular shape. The flexibility and feasibility of the form-finding framework is demonstrated in several case studies employing the new structural design tool RhinoVAULT, which implements the developed form-finding methods. The use of fabrication design strategies is discussed in a comprehensive case study that shows project-specific tessellation design variations and first fabrication results for a complex stone masonry shell.
