Combinatorial Equilibrium / Structural Folding

Ole Ohlbrock and Pierluigi D'Acunto, two PhD students from the chair of structural design at ETHZ, are presenting their latest research work at the smart living lab this Monday 6 February. The event is hosted by the Structural Xploration Lab.

Part I: The first talk by Ole Ohlbrock is about Structural Design with Combinatorial Equilibrium Modelling

The Combinatorial Equilibrium Modelling (CEM) is a novel design framework (based on graphic statics and graph theory) that allows for the control of the qualitative structural behavior (topology and force state) in the conceptual design phase. The CEM takes advantage of computer-aided parametric modeling approaches enabling the design of innovative spatial pin-jointed networks in equilibrium with any combination of compression, tension and external load cases.

Part II: The second talk by Pierluigi D'Acunto is about Structural Folding for Architectural Design.

The use of folding in design allows for the production of efficient structures capable of resisting the external applied loads through their form rather than an accumulation of material. Additionally, folding represents an effective operation for generating architectural forms that are able to address diverse spatial and programmatic necessities.

The goal of this research is to develop a design method that integrates structural folding in architecture. The method takes advantage of the interplay of the spatial and structural properties of folded plate geometries, as a way to effectively combine architectural and engineering thinking towards a holistic approach to design. The method is aimed at supporting the design process starting from the early conceptual stages and relies on four basic geometric operations. Specifically, a kinematically stable folded plate geometry is designed within a predefined tetrahedral grid to produce an enclosed architectural space. Without losing its inherent topological properties, the form of the folded plate geometry can be manipulated according to the specific design requirements by adjusting the position of the nodes of the grid. Grounded on the Theory of Plasticity, the structural behavior of the system is evaluated using a model for folded plate structures where the resultants of the inner stresses are transferred via the folded edges and through the plates. Relying on geometric operations only, the proposed design method is in general material and scale independent, therefore allowing the same strategy to be applied to diverse design scenarios.