TS Diploma Lecture

Tuesday OCT 11 2011

Team HYBIOS of Emtech lecturing Technical Studies Diploma 4 class with Christina Doumpioti on the effect of force on matter, when used in form finding methods.

HYBIOS Team to Lecture to TS4 Diploma Class: FORM+MATTER

We look forward to lecturing as part of an introduction series for Christina Doumpioti's Diploma Technical Studies 4 at the AA. For more information check out the course's blog mAAterials at:

http://maaterials.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/hybrid-biostructures/

HYBIOS 3.1/ Multi-Level Spatial Differentiation

With this HYBIOS, we tried introducing multiple heights by adding a new floor plate. The mesh was stretched from the top layer to the next one and from the mid layer to the lower one to support it upwards. Spatial differentiation of multiple levels starts to emerge, and scale relations of elements appears clearer. 

More CC Testing/ Manipulating Form

We carried on more experiments with Concrete Cloth (CC). This time, we followed some of the logic of our form finding methods we used on the Hybios prototypes.

Some emergent properties of the materials informed the forming process. This time, a point was pushed from underneath rather than pulled. cuts were planned out strategically and pulled to create a symmetrical dome shape.

We also tried restraining points on a grid. The results were surprisingly satisfactory. The CC used this time was 8mm thick though.  We used the cuts to form orb like cells restrained by the frame we used for one of our very first experiments with plaster.

AnaHYBIOS 3.0_ Lab Photos

New Approach: From Digital FormFinding to Analogue Methods

We looked at the paper entitled 'Linking Hanging Chain Models to Fabrication' by Axel Kilian as a source of information and inspiration to carry out our next experiment. The next experiment mainly had to focus on utilizing digital form finding methods to add to our methods for producing the next prototype. 

Axel Kilian, Ph.D. Candidate in Computation, Department of Architecture, School of Architecture and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

SUMMARY OF PAPER

Fabrication output is an integral part of the iterative process and not a post design process.

The relationship between form finding model and the translation into volumetric form was explored in a series of small models.

His Motivation :

Equilibrium solutions can be scaled if the proportional distribution of mass is kept and the geometry of the lines of forces is scaled proportionally. This holds true even though mass does not scale proportionally to geometric dimensions.

A major disadvantage is that a physical model is hard to measure accurately and

in reasonable time, as measuring requires physically accessing the model. The

measurement of forces within the strings of the model is even more difficult, as it

requires the installation of strain gauges, which is time consuming and can potentially

disturb the model. In addition, the measurements are not part of the design process. The

design is frozen to allow for iterating through the load measurements throughout the

model in one given state

The digital version, in contrast, allows simultaneous measurement and creating/editing of

geometry. These measurements can directly drive other dimensions in the model. In the

digital model, editing and creating the string weight is less limited by the availability and

preparation of the physical material, which in the case of a very complex model can

substantially slow down the process. Furthermore, the use of generative techniques

allows for the rapid placement of complex string constructs and observing their behavior

before investing time into an elaborate physical model

The self-weight of the load-bearing member contributes only negligible

amounts to the structure locally and therefore does not substantially affect the hanging

curve form. If there is no load present other than the weight of the structure itself, the

self-weight becomes the dominant form giving factor. The cross section has to provide

enough area for the forces traveling through it. A further optimization of the structure, for

example with the aim of achieving uniform compressional loading throughout the same

material, which would be possible by varying thickness, was not undertaken by Gaudi.

Islers Conclusion : page 8

Isler identifies instabilities in his shells as follows: First, at the

supports second, due to general buckling; third, due to local buckling of the free edge (for

which the counter curvature is so important)

Designing in dynamics vs. analytical approach. Design by discovery : Page 10

Structural and dimensional evaluation of form is not an afterthought but an essential of

the design process. This is where the learning by discovery enabled by interactive tools comes into play. In interaction with a live, force-geometry linked structure, a designer can directly observe the range of structural responses while exploring possible forms. This encourages an explorative approach to design and supports unconventional solutions that integrate and respond to the designer’s intent.

NEXT STEPS>>>>>>>

1. form finding,

2. topology finding,

3. load path finding,

4. material distribution

5. testing for structural redundancy

6. optimization.

Form finding techniques in an interactive digital modeling environment can support the

design process by giving continuous feedback to the designer, allowing the designer to

integrate structural principles into the creation of form rather than to structurally optimize

the finished form at the end of the design process.

Results: AnaHYBIOS 2.0 & 2.1 _First Draft

"When light falls on the retina of the human eye, it hits 126 million sensory cells which transform it into electrical signals. Even the smallest unit of light, a photon, can stimulate one of these sensory cells" Butdoesitfloat

... Better photos coming soon.

Research Development: New FormFinding Methods_ Experiment 2.0

For the second formfinding method, we utilized a frame-based system where the sides of the frame are marked with holes on a grid. Two overlapping layers of fabric were used, the fabric was stretched by pulling string through the holes.  Different methods of stretching were utilized, such as overlapping the nodes, stretching one layer into the other and tying the edges. The fabric was then painted with thin layers of plaster, glue and water consecutively. The strings were cut when the shell has hardened and the HYBIOS was sanded and cropped around the edges .

 

Results: AnaHYBIOS 1.3 & 1.4

After refining the material formation process, the analogue modeling method yielded interesting geomoetries. These geometries were observed and measured, especially for their spatial and structural qualities. 

IL 23/25 FREI OTTO STRUCTURES/EXPERIMENTS

First Analogue Prototypes

Our first few attempts at the analogue prototypes. The method tested was to hang fabric and pull it at nodes by applying a force, in this case the weight hung. Different weights were tested on a voronoi cell frame with differentiated cell sizes. The process was refined through testing different models and some failed protoypes. The method works by tensioning the fabric and freezing it with a plaster compound. The materials utilized resemble the properties of tensioned membranes (fabric) and compression properties of concrete (plaster).

Heinz Isler's Frozen Pavillions

                         

FormFinding

A great research paper by Philippe Block. Formfinding has been used in architectural models to create spatial forms that are optimized for structure while in the design phase. The Phd Thesis proposes a digital formfinding tool as an alternative to traditional formfinding methods adopted by Frei Otto and Gaudi. The paper gave us a lot of insight on how to start with our design experiments.

Abstract

The fluidity of concrete as a material, coupled with the flexible workability of its forming process, has lead to innovations in architectural design throughout history. The aim of this dissertation is to go beyond current practices of using concrete in the built environment to enable the construction of complex geometries analogous to the coherence of structures found in nature. State of the art materials related to concrete construction, and cutting edge computer simulations are utilized in the research, creating a constant feedback loop between qualitative analogue prototypes and information-rich computer models.

 Experiments done in casting concrete have been mainly focused on producing modular units that, when aggregated, achieve an envisioned spatial quality.  The development of these processes has been restricted to a formwork that is confined within the boundaries of an orthogonal frame, hence limiting the generation of inventive spatial qualities. The study at hand proposes a solution that offers a higher degree of flexibility within the design process. Research is aimed towards the generation of novel spatial and architectural elements of an architectural enclosure using innovative fabrication systems pertaining to the structural domains of tensile membranes and concrete construction.

Many attempts have been made by previous scholars to generate architectural forms that mimic structures found in biological systems. Only few works have portrayed that the form finding methods utilized at the beginning of the design process have been carried through with enough rigor to the construction phase.

The research experiments with the idea of coupling digital and analogue form finding methods with construction aware thinking to generate innovative processes of constructing novel tectonics and spatial qualities.

Keywords: Formfinding, Spatial Differentation, Hybrid Systems, Minimal Surfaces, Freeform Surfaces, Thin Shell Concrete, Building Logistics, Shotcrete, Tensile Membranes, Exoskeleton, Endoskeleton.