eQUILIBRIUM. ROK - Rippmann Oesterle Knauss GmbH. BLOCK Research Group. BLOCK Research Group) Timbrel vaulting employs the use of good structural form to achieve a minimal shell thickness, RhinoVAULT is software that allows for the intuitive design of compression-only shapes, offering a maximum control of the geometry.
Block Research Group: ETHZ. BLOCK Research Group. This research project aims to develop a single mathematical and computational framework which incorporates existing form finding methods and allows comprehensive comparison of their attributes and performance.Well-known methods such as the force density method, dynamic relaxation, updated reference strategy and others are considered by mathematically structuring and presenting them in the same way, using the same notation and combining terminology.
Based on this, a single computational framework using a sparse branch-node data structure is made.This framework marginalizes any differences related to operating platforms, programming language and style, offering a better baseline for independent comparison of performance and results. Æ-lab - Collaboration with BLOCK Research Group. Timbrel Vaulting Using Cardboard Formwork. BLOCK Research Group’s Freeform Catalan Thin-Tile Vault. The freeform vaulted structure is BLOCK Research Group's first built prototype (BLOCK) A research project explores techniques from the past to learn about building stronger structures in the future Sometimes research involves destruction in the name of creation.
Architects and engineers from Zurich-based BLOCK Research Group at science and technology university ETH Zurich recently teamed up to build, and destroy, a vaulted masonry structure that was designed with advanced digital fabrication methods but constructed with traditional timbrel, or Catalan, thin-tile vaulting techniques. Through its research of freeform shells, tiling patterns, building sequences, and formwork, the group hopes to construct increasingly radical forms without sacrificing efficiency. AA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE - Lectures Online. Philippe Block Stone Skins: New Masonry Shells Series: Evening lecture Date: 19/2/2013 Time: 18:00:00 Venue: Lecture Hall Running time: 70 mins This lecture will present new computational form-finding approaches for exploring 3D equilibrium shapes, by understanding Gothic masonry vaults.
Through the use of intuitive graphical methods, the designer gains control over the exploration of form, which blurs the boundaries between funicular (compression-only) and free-form design. BLOCK Research Group. RhinoVAULT V1.0 NewFeatures We are happy to announce the release of RhinoVAULT v1.0.
The new freely available version comes with additional features and a much faster solver implementation. Besides many bug-fixes the Plug-in for Rhinoceros® features new tools for a more interactive and intuitive form finding of funicular structures. #01 Tutorial for rhinoVAULT – Basics This tutorial will guide you through the basic steps to design a simple vaulted structure. . - Overview over the rhinoVAULT toolbar - Layer management of rhinoVAULT - Creating an initial form diagram - Using the horizontal equilibrium command - Using the vertical equilibrium command #02 Tutorial for rhinoVAULT – Beginner. BLOCK Research Group.
Interactive Equilibrium Modeling This research develops a novel method for computer-aided equilibrium modeling of structures in early design stages using pin-jointed models and sequential user modeling and automated equilibrium recovery steps using optimization.
Three-dimensional Lower-bound Analysis of Complex Masonry Vaults This research applies Thrust Network Analysis, a three-dimensional computational method for obtaining lower-bound solutions of masonry vaults with complex geometries. Compression Support Structures for Slabs This research presents a novel and rigorous approach for the design of efficient spatial support structures for flat slabs. Interactive Design Tools for Funicular Shells This research is implementing Thrust Network Analysis (TNA) in a powerful interactive design tool for exploring and designing funicular structures. Shell Structures for Architecture: Form Finding and Optimization. RhinoVAULT - Shell Design for Rhino. RhinoVAULT is a plug-in for Rhino, being developed at the BLOCK Research Group by Matthias Rippmann, myself and Philippe Block, that allows for the intuitive design of compression-only shapes, offering a maximum control of the geometry.
This software is written particularly for shaping unreinforced masonry vaults, but can also be used for designing efficient freeform shells. Based on the Thrust Network Approach (TNA), which uses a force network as discretization of the shape, it is possible to internally redistribute forces within the network using force diagrams. A first application of the tool is a prototype of a freeform Catalan thin-tile vault erected at the ETH Campus, Zurich, Switzerland. It was planned and build by Lara Davis, and designed by Matthias Rippmann.
BLOCK Research Group. BibTeX: Abstract: This book brings together for the first time the most relevant form finding and structural optimization techniques for shell and gridshell structures, and transfers knowledge in the form of mathematics, computer algorithms, and design case studies, providing highly pedagogical material for students as well as practicing architects and engineers.
Part 1 introduces the topic of shells, tracing the ancient relationship between structural form and forces, the basics of shell behaviour, and the evolution of form finding and structural optimization techniques.Part 2 familiarizes the reader with form finding techniques, covering the force density method, thrust network analysis, dynamic relaxation and particle-spring systems, and discusses how to steer form.Part 3 focuses on shell shape and topology optimization, and provides a deeper understanding of gradient-based methods and meta-heuristic techniques. BLOCK Research Group. BLOCK Research Group.