EVOLUTION

With this post, we mark the end of the material experimentation for HYBrid BIOStructures. Our research resulted in a family of deviant and unique prototypes that made us understand the process better, and solve some of the problems we could encounter with such building method. Each generation within the family adopted benign features of its successors, to derive to the fittest design.

Aided with a catalogue of informative models, we plan to parametrically generate a system that follows the construction method, where programmatic function and spatial narrative is the main parameter. To devise an algorithmic solution to planning, that follows our material system and building logistics.

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/

Mesh Stretch/ Forming Experiment

We tested our method of forming on a different material system. This time using a thin, formable aluminum mesh.

The mesh was stretched on Lycra fabric and reinforced with strips of a stronger hexagonal mesh. The mesh combination was plastered with concrete using a trowel and smoothned with a layer of grout brushed into the surface.  

The forming process was successful, we achieved a satisfactory displacement measurement of about 400 mm on a small 1000x1000 mm piece. 

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.

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.

Fabrication Materials Proposal

We looked at several materials used in combination to create a wall system. The first layer is mainly used for creating the geometry, using the same method of pulling and tensioning. The material is then hardened to shape and would act as reinforcement in the wall. Layers of materials could be added to achieve different performative qualities within the wall. 

Shotcrete reinforced with Barchip fibres would be used on the surface of the added materials. Barchip reinforced concrete has good compressive and tensile qualities. We plan on testing several materials for the next steps to get closer to a combination of materials that we can use to test at a 1:1 prototype.

Research Development: New FormFinding Methods_ Experiment 2.1

The objective of the second attempt was to manipulate the geometry from the interior to the exterior. The focus was to hide and reveal while stretching, to make the spaces of the interior more inhabitable. Disks were utilized to create light-wells to draw light into the interior spaces. The fabric was painted with thin layers and was sprayed with compressed air at the top to distribute the mix into the strings. The result was a pixelated gradient of transparency along the light-wells creating interesting lighting conditions.