Category Archives: Uncategorized

Defined Geometry Structural Assembly Structure Analysis

By hristokovachev | Published: February 10, 2014

For this exercise we created a semi complex shell and analysed it with the chosen four supports, gravity load and a specific chosen point load. In the structure analysis we compared that shell with two others using point loads in different positions in attempt to understand and see witch preforms better and why.

Also posted in Giombattista Areddia, Hristo Kovachev | Comments closed

Experimental Structures

By giacomofiorani | Published: February 3, 2014

We found interesting the idea of taking paper or cardboard and increase its structural performance simply by folding the material. All experimental forms we built were all constructed by folding a single piece of paper. The inspiration of Origami and paper folding structures of Ren Resch led us to explore the structural capabilities of cardboard. We made different bending experiments with several patterns in cardboard and paper to understand the different opportunities and limits with triangular pasterns and also bending arches.

The component we are working was designed to form a larger structure through addition of the same repeated components and is a collapsible component which can have multiple structural behaviours.

The folds remove the problems of bending moments in the structure, and create a self bracing component and rather than force the cardboard to bend, the forces are redirected to the ground through the shortest path. As shown on the diagrams, due to the orientation of the fold, the component is stronger when a compressive force is applied through side A. The forces flow from upper part of component to lower part. If compressive force is applied to the other side, the loads will force the the component to bend and return to position as in first scenario. If forces are too large the component will bend in itself.

The design of component allows for multiple variations of structures. The next step to be taken with component would be to turn it into a spacial truss pipe system with members of varying thickness according to the load distribution along the members. It would be interesting to see on Karamba how are the forces being transferred to the ground and adapt and change and optimise thickness ofthe members of the triangulations accordingly .

Also posted in Karl Francalanza | Comments closed

“Triangles and nothing more”

By Luis Leon Lopez | Published: February 1, 2014

Our model is based on two simple structures , a triangle and a square this last devided in the half to make two triangles at the end. The triangle is one of the highest strenght structures because this does not deform unless we applied a big load compared to its size, the best part of this shape is that the three elements of the triangle can act in compression or tension, so doing an item almost perfect to build rigid structures.