Design Development/ Analysis of Emergent Form

A series of digital models were generated to be tested for quantities to be used as input parameters. The condition of the interior space in terms of lighting and thermal comfort was of primal concern during this phase of the design. These conditions can be controlled in the interior through the generated skin.

Interior formal elements were chosen from the AnaHYBIOS models to be introduced as final geometry generators. The final geometry in this case being composed of spatial instances where the instance is shaped by the effect of force on matter to produce an environmentally controlled space. A space that is affected by the exterior weather conditions in a specific location.  Methods of organizing these elements and clustering them were revised.

Limitations of the material system were considered while the conditions are set for the mesh relaxation algorithm to produce desirable spatial outcomes. Different programmatic scenarios were sketched to anticipate the pragmatic function of the generated spaces. Perceptual thresholds were created by introducing the spatial elements at specific instances.

One major limitation of the HYBIOS system is the amount of vertical distance needed to achieve a habitable floor area. That extra height clearance however, has the  capability  of creating a stack effect for natural ventilation within the building. The geometry of the solar chimneys have to be tested and oriented according to surrounding weather conditions.

Iterations of the initial algorithm were generated to be tested. The first two spaces were generated based on a hypothetical program, that has similar areas to a patch of the overall proposed program.

The morphology of the exterior skin was tested for straight and inclined solar chimneys, it became clear that the chimneys have to be oriented towards the wind source and away from the sun to reduce the stagnation of wind on the exterior and improve the stack effect inside the building.

The third and fourth prototypes were tested for their interior spatial condition, starting by shifting the ground planes of each program to create more differentiation between the parts.

Plate stress tests were carried out on the form using strand7 to determine the thickness of the concrete shell.

The emergent interior space became a well-lit, well ventilated space and the qualities of the previous physical models started to show in the interior of the digital models.

Slab Deflection Test/ Reinforcment Comparison

A deflection test was carried out for 6 different slabs with different reinforcement materials, to compare the structural integrity of different wall assembly options. Slab 00 started with no reinforcement, Slab 1.1 + 1.2 were reinforced with a concrete cloth and a metal mesh respectively. Slab 2.1 + 2.2 were reinforced with metal meshes of different porosities.

 Slab 3.0 was reinforced with BarChip fibre and a hexagonal mesh. The results clearly show that BarChip is an excellent material choice for the re-inforcement of shotcrete for the use on the freeform mesh. The BarChip  fibre reinforced slab broke at a weight of 247, which is amazingly stronger than any other reinforcement option we have tested.

Thank you to Elasto Plastic BarChip for sending in samples for us to test: http://www.elastoplastic.com/

Fabric / Concrete Cloth Testing

The past two weeks we decided to get our hands dirty, and take a stab at material testing. 

We tested the fabric that we have been using to create the HYBIOS and several other fabrics, such as cotton and scrim. We used a meter to measure the weight devised from pulling, as well as the displacement threshold before the material would break. The materials were tested on a 1000x1000x1000 mm frame.

Concrete cloth was tested at 4 mm thickness. The maximum displacement was about 400 mm, after which the concrete cloth would break.

A curvature analysis and a displacement calculation were produced. We modeled the resultant form that was the result of pulling the Concrete Cloth at the center. The displacement calculation would help us in setting limits for the next analogue and digital experiments. ANSYS was used to create the displacement chart of an 8 mm  concrete shell with steel mesh reinforcement. 

The Material was hydrated and left to set completely for about 24 hours. 

Many problems were encountered, but the material successfully deformed using the pulling and tensioning method. We noticed that pushing the material up with a stick produced lesser deformed curvatures. Creases and ripping should be avoided.

Analysis of Previous Experiments / Prototypes

In order for us to move forward with the project in a more effective manner, we started with analyzing what we have done before. The previous prototypes (Hybios 2.0 & 2.1) were analyzed mainly for the methods used and the resultant geometries obtained by these methods. The results and failures of each prototype were documented to give insight for the problems that need to be solved in the next prototype.

The main intention of documenting the choreography of the random stretching procedures is to obtain a draft for a set of instructions, or a 'pseudo code' for the construction team to carry on the construction.

A quick experiment to obtain a clearer mapping of the curvatures of the generated topologies was carried out. A grid was projected onto the surface of the prototypes. The intention being to give purpose for the these curvatures rather than just being manipulators of the internal space. Possible environmental responses such as sheltering canopies at entrances and channeling rainwater were discussed.