Browsing by Subject "Tensile architecture--Design and construction"
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Item Computer method for the generation of the geometry of tensegrity structures(2004) Charalambides, Jason Evelthon; Liapi, Katherine A.Tensegrity is a technology that can be applied to structures and its use can influence the construction time efficiency and construction project management in general. However, a significant drawback for a systematic application of tensegrity structures in the building construction industry is the particularly complex geometry that engineers and architects have to generate, in a two or three dimensional virtual or physical environment. The objective of this dissertation was the development of a computer based utility that will facilitate the design professional to devise and construct a specific morphological variation of tensegrity structure systems. The development of this utility was based on a methodology that identified and included parameters that can be associated to the schematic design and design development phases of a design project. The main contribution of the developed computer program is the efficiency with which virtual models of a tensegrity structure can be generated, facilitating the designer in decision making during the design process. Emphasis was given on the development of an interactive graphical simulation/visualization environment for the computer program. This feature assists in the generation and modification of the numerical input, with parameters defined by the user, and allows unobtrusive regenerations of alternate solutions within the computer virtual environment.Item Parametric design methodology and visualization for single curvature tensegrity structures(2004) Kim, Jinman; Liapi, Katherine A.Tensegrity structures are a special type of tensile structures consisting of cables (in tension) and bars (in compression) that can offer an alternative to conventional space covering structures. Geometric complexity inherent to these structures has posed a significant challenge in their geometric and structural design and limited their applications in buildings. This research is intended to develop a parametric design methodology for single-curvature tensegrity networks to address problems in their configuration and analysis. An important feature of the methodology is the development of an integrative visualization environment to assist in their form exploration and performance. The methodology involves a) the development of algorithms to address the geometry of vaulted configurations that generate models of initial geometry b) integrating design algorithms to structural analysis and development of models of pre-stressed geometry, and c) importing the pre-stressed geometry model into a CAD environment. Specifically, 3D coordinates of a preliminary tensegrity structure are generated by the design algorithms, automatically processed by an existing analysis code, and visualized in CAD environment by the graphical interface. Resulting 3D solid models of the structure can then be used by architects and engineers to validate the design performance of preliminary configurations under consideration. The morphological variation considered in this study is that of vaulted configuration composed of tensegrity units of square-base with bar to cable connection.