Digital Tectonics as a Morphogenetic Process

p. 938-948Tectonics is a seminal concept that defines the nature of the relationship between architecture and its structural properties. The changing definition of the symbiotic relationship between structural engineering and architectural design may be considered one of the formative influences on the conceptual evolution of tectonics in different historical periods. Recent developments in the field of morphogenesis, digital media, theories techniques and methods of digital design have contributed a new models of integration between structure, material and form in digital tectonics. The objective of this paper is to propose and define tectonics as a model of morphogenetic process. The paper identifies and presents the manner in which theory and emerging concepts of morphogenesis as well as digital models of design are contributing to this new model. The paper first analyzes the historical evolution of tectonics as a concept and characterizes the emergence of theoretical framework reflected in concepts and terms related to morphogenesis.Oxman, R. (2010). Digital Tectonics as a Morphogenetic Process. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/695

Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Spatial Structures with Different Structural Openings and Forms

The first reinforced concrete spatial structures date from 1920. Since then, their popularity has increased as a new structural system with widely used materials like reinforced concrete. The building trend of these structures faded near 1970s, because of the high costs in formwork and labor work compared to other structural systems, but also the high calculations difficulty and the lack of knowledge for their structural behavior strongly connected with their form. The technological evolution of formworks, like air inflated forms or polymer modular formwork, as well as the technological advance of computer and software industry for civil engineering through automation of numerical methods and creation of new algorithms, have helped to reach new levels of expertise during the conceptual and structural design process. The scope of this analytical study is the use of structural openings to create new lighter, sustainable and architectural forms of structures, using a new approach to the form finding process. The paper includes structure cyclic analysis due to finding the appropriate position and geometrical form of the openings considering stresses, deformations and boundary conditions of specific cases. Optimizations and analysis are made using advanced optimization algorithms of form finding and topological optimization (ATOM – Abaqus Topology Optimization Module ®) and FEM based software for static and seismic analysis. Based on the analysis data of the case examples for the new designing approach to structural openings and forms, presented on this paper with the use of advanced software technology, we conclude that spatial structural system in 21st century should be considered as the next engineering challenge in conjunction to architectural trends for free, irregular and diverse forms

Automated sequence and motion planning for robotic spatial extrusion of 3D trusses

While robotic spatial extrusion has demonstrated a new and efficient means to fabricate 3D truss structures in architectural scale, a major challenge remains in automatically planning extrusion sequence and robotic motion for trusses with unconstrained topologies. This paper presents the first attempt in the field to rigorously formulate the extrusion sequence and motion planning (SAMP) problem, using a CSP encoding. Furthermore, this research proposes a new hierarchical planning framework to solve the extrusion SAMP problems that usually have a long planning horizon and 3D configuration complexity. By decoupling sequence and motion planning, the planning framework is able to efficiently solve the extrusion sequence, end-effector poses, joint configurations, and transition trajectories for spatial trusses with nonstandard topologies. This paper also presents the first detailed computation data to reveal the runtime bottleneck on solving SAMP problems, which provides insight and comparing baseline for future algorithmic development. Together with the algorithmic results, this paper also presents an open-source and modularized software implementation called Choreo that is machine-agnostic. To demonstrate the power of this algorithmic framework, three case studies, including real fabrication and simulation results, are presented.Comment: 24 pages, 16 figure

Applications of topology optimisation in structural engineering: high-rise buildings & steel components

This study introduces applications of structural topology optimization to buildings and civil engineering structures. Topology optimization problems utilize the firmest mathematical basis, to account for improved weight-to-stiffness ratio and perceived aesthetic appeal of specific structural forms, enabling the solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) technique. Structural topology optimization is a technique for finding the optimum number, location and shape of “openings” within a given continuum subject to a series of loads and boundary conditions. Aerospace and automotive engineers routinely employ topology optimization and have reported significant structural performance gains as a result. Recently, designers of buildings and structures have also started investigating the use of topology optimization, for the design of efficient and aesthetically pleasing developments. This paper examines two examples of where topology optimization may be a useful design tool in civil/structural engineering in order to overcome the frontiers between civil engineers and engineers from other disciplines. The first example presents the optimized structural design of a geometrically complex high-rise structure and the optimal design of its architectural building shape. The second one focuses on the optimization and design of a perforated steel I-section beam, since such structural members are widely used nowadays in the vast majority of steel buildings and structures while they provide numerous advances. Conclusions are drawn regarding the potential benefits to the more widespread implementation of topology optimization within the civil/structural engineering industr

Randomness in topological models

p. 914-925There are two aspects of randomness in topological models. In the first one, topological idealization of random patterns found in the Nature can be regarded as planar representations of three-dimensional lattices and thus reconstructed in the space. Another aspect of randomness is related to graphs in which some properties are determined in a random way. For example, combinatorial properties of graphs: number of vertices, number of edges, and connections between them can be regarded as events in the defined probability space. Random-graph theory deals with a question: at what connection probability a particular property reveals. Combination of probabilistic description of planar graphs and their spatial reconstruction creates new opportunities in structural form-finding, especially in the inceptive, the most creative, stage.Tarczewski, R.; Bober, W. (2010). Randomness in topological models. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/695

An Architectural Implementation of Topology Optimization Guided Discrete Structures with Customized Geometric Constraints

This thesis explores the use of Topology Optimization (abbreviated to TO) in architectural design by implementing a Bidirectional Evolutionary Structural Optimization(abbreviated to BESO) type TO script as a guide to create a composition of discrete members with complex geometries. TO is an efficient tool for generating an optimal spatial arrangement of structural members along a load path. In the field of computational design, TO has been employed for form-generation of a range of assembled structures that employ discrete units, as well as continuum structures that employ unified and continuous materials. The most advanced current architectural implementations for continuum structures appear in the design of connections, and for discrete structures within space truss designs. Yet, the use of TO in atypical discrete frame structures with complex geometries remain relatively undeveloped in contemporary practice. This thesis contributes a case study where TO is implemented at two key scales: at the component level, geometrically constrained discrete components are assembled using TO, at the macro level, these components are arranged over a TO-designed body. A review of literature from computational design and structural engineering fields, discussing current TO implementations, as well as presenting case studies, is included. The demonstration within the thesis presents a contemporary architectural design process by using existing Karamba BESO code components within a Grasshopper parametric script. Fine-grained components employed within the facade system are combined using TO to produce a cellular lattice architectonic assembly that refers to traditional Korean ornamental pattern found near the site. This demonstration is evaluated structurally and aesthetically. Analyses of comparative structural models with varying configurations are used to demonstrate the structural efficiency of the proposed design. For the aesthetic evaluation, a series of drawings are included to demonstrate what type of spatial qualities the customized lattice structure would look like. The goal of this thesis is to demonstrate architectural and structural qualities resulting from a hybrid exercise where a TO process is applied to geometrically constrained discrete structures. The approach in this thesis provides compromises where structural efficiency and aesthetics are both reasonably achieved, and may lead to novel designs. Future work could be to create a new TO algorithm that can automate this process for increased structural efficiency

Concrete: Computation and Optimization

New materials require new design and construction methods. Even old materials are being continually developed with new properties that challenge the way we use them. A recent cycle of innovations has led to concretes with considerable and effective elastic limit in tension and flexural strength. The possibility to design in concrete as a single orthotropic material with both tensile and compressive properties create an opportunity for new products but also require new design approaches. Topology optimization as an architectural design tool is largely unexplored, in contrast to its wide use in the field of mechanical engineering. Topologically optimized shapes are fundamentally different from standard structural shapes and require highly customized means of fabrication. The resulting members can be lighter, use less material, yet still be as strong. Perhaps of greatest importance is the observation that the topologically optimized shape simultaneously manifests a structural optimum and an emergent aesthetic. This presentation will introduce the basics of structural topology optimization, existing software, and show how it was used in architectural technology coursework. The assignment in view, given to intermediate architectural students, is to design and optimize a structural beam and to subsequently fabricate it in ultra-high-performance concrete using consumer level CNC-milling of polystyrene casting formwork. Computer stress simulations were compared to physical crush tests. An increasing number of architects and engineers are well-versed in emerging digital fabrication and computation technologies. The presentation will posit that the materials with emerging properties and accessible computation tools provide a platform for both architects and engineers to engage in the problem of combining structural efficiency and aesthetic