Planned intervention: On Wednesday April 3rd 05:30 UTC Zenodo will be unavailable for up to 2-10 minutes to perform a storage cluster upgrade.
Published November 28, 2018 | Version v2
Conference paper Open

Parametric Skinning of Complex Graphs: An Airborne Textile Structure Test-Case

  • 1. The University of Melbourne

Description

The research project presented in this paper aims to extend the repertoire of architectural design and construction. To achieve this purpose, research-through-design methods are used to match a commonly desired target geometry with a realistic and efficient materialisation strategy. The proposed approach has been tested through construction of practical prototypes that eventuated in a full-scale structure that performed well in a variety of outdoor conditions. The outcome of this work is a workflow for semi-automated skinning of complex graphs such as trusses or space frames. The project tests this workflow through an application to a topologically complex L-system. The L-system graph is parametrically skinned with a continuous, adjustable envelope. The outcomes of this skinning are materialised in fabric to produce a twelve-metrelong, wind-supported, airborne inflatable structure. This workflow is a novel extension of existing approaches to skinning and fabrication of structures based on complex graphs because it allows a hitherto unavailable, fabrication-ready geometric definition of joints between cylindrical and conical tubes of varying diameters. It is significant as a reusable approach to the geometric construction of such joints in a variety of materials and across multiple scales. Furthermore, it is interesting as an innovative prototype of possible wind-supported architectural structures.

Files

roudavski_skinning_18.pdf

Files (1.6 MB)

Name Size Download all
md5:f0b19dc9089e90de45bf0da9ad75687b
1.6 MB Preview Download