I
COURSE DIRECTOR Michael Weinstock George Jeronimidis
STUDIO MASTER Evan Greenberg
TUTORS
Elif Erdine Manja van de Worp
FACILITY
DPL - Angel Lara-Moreira
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
ABSTRACT Our aim was to develop a portable deployable system that could be adapt to a variety of configurations and easily reproduced. The project research started on scissor joints investigation and its possible application to foldable structures. In the beginning, our idea was to have a full deployable system, which during the process, became partitioned. To develop an affordable, resistant and light structure, we chose bamboo as a studied material. Through the 4-week workshop, we investigated its principal characteristics, limitations and possible joinery solutions. While was not difficult to find bamboo in London, it was a challenge to work with a natural material that has irregularities between pieces and propose solutions that could be applied to a variety of dimensions. Once the project was thought as a system development that can be adapt to many organizations, analysis were ran to demonstrate the system potential and its possible appliances. For example, mesh density and membrane placing were studied to reach a sun shading function in tropical climate conditions. The process was taken thought digital and physical explorations combined. For instance, physical interactive prototypes were required to joints behaviour comprehension and its reproduction on digital domain. On the other hand, computational tools were necessary to generate accurate global organizations and to prove that the system works in a 1:1 scale.
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
II
INTRODUCTION
5
MATERIAL CHOICE DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURES EXPERIMENT
6 7
COMPONENT RESEARCH Ruled surfaces Component array
8 8 11
GLOBAL GEOMETRY Form finding Mesh density Joint mapping Stress analysis
12 12 13 14 15
MATERIAL EXPERIMENTS JOINTS DESIGN ASSEMBLE LOGIC ANALYSIS MODEL ASSEMBLY
16 17 22 23 25
CONCLUSION REFERENCES
27 28
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
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INTRODUCTION “The relationship to weight and resistance is the best in the world. Anything built with steel, I can do in bamboo faster and just as cheaply� Architect Simon Velez With the development of new technologies, building with bamboo has become an ancient technique for the majority of the constructors. However, bamboo constructions can be more popular in the next decades, once it represents an affordable material alternative that has all the required properties to be a structure. This negligence aspect can be changed in countries that presently need housing planning for the ever-growing population, which is further supplemented by the fact that regions that bamboo naturally grows, such as South America, Africa and Asia have the highest growth rates. During material research and possible systems applications, bamboo proved to be the most suitable material to develop a portable deployable structure that could be easily reproduced. Our work was divided in three main parts; material and system research, component exploration and the 1:1 model assembly. During physical experiments, we faced a variety of problems regarding the disparities that a natural material has. In all experiments, we faced and documented new questions and results. The use of bamboo, with different thickness, guided us to develop new joinery solutions, such as different material combinations and techniques. Metal, resin, rubberband, elastic rope are some examples of tested materials during BambooX project. Relating to digital exploration, all the experiments were digitally created and analysed to prove that they could be reproduced in a large scale. Since component design, to global form finding, computational tools were used together with physical prototypes. Our ambition with this project was not only develop a dynamic bamboo structure, but also prove that bamboo, concerning its properties, can be wisely use in architecture.
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
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MATERIAL CHOICE Our goal was to achieve a deployable structure that could be easily reproduced and adapted to many configurations. The idea was to develop a simple and intelligent system through scissor joints connections.
The choice of Bamboo came from the exploration of essential material characteristics for a deployable assembly. Not only weight and resistant was considered, but also its large quantities available and price.
#2
#1
scissor joints research goal adaptative deployable structure easy system to be reproduced variety of configurations
6 portable easy to assembly
#3 BAMBOO FORCES RESISTANT COMPRESSION TENSION DEFLEXION
HOLLOW SECTION LIGHT
RAPID GROWTH
LARGE QUANTITIES AVAILABLE AFFFORDABLE image 1
image 2 Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURES EXPERIMENT INITIAL EXPERIMENTS These experiments aimed to explore and develop a scissor joint based component. Through two physical tests, we could research component array and deployable system techiniques. #1
The desktop sale models helped us to understand both structure and joint behaviour in a variety of configurations and positions.
#2
1
2
1
2
4
3
4
A
B
3
7
5
6
5
6
Elementes Array
Deployable structure
Two pieces joined by the apex and repeated to join vertices A and B.
In this model we studied system behaviour, its maximum compression, maximum expansion and its possibilities to achieve double curvature.
The component was repeated 5 times with the respective joining vetices to each component and creates a double curvature system.
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
COMPONENT RESEARCH RULED SURFACES Explore ruled surfaces was requisite to investigate possible bamboo poles aggregations to create a deployable structure. We focused on digital and phisical experiments to set up combinations and to understand the behaviour of each type of joint. On this stage, our aim was to combine ruled components to generate a doubly curved surface. We noticed that, in this configuration the did have two types of joints. After this exploration, we were able to propose the most suitable materials for each kind of joint, based on its own characteristics.
Desktop Scale Rubber band
the rubber allows the flexible freeform
8
Joints
Radius1 = Radius1
Joints
Radius1 >Radius2
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
COMPONENT RESEARCH GENERATING AND AGGREGATING RULED SURFACES
Digital exploration
Initial Circles controlled separetely
divide each circle and connect the points
shift 1
shift 2
Possible aggregations to generate double curvature 9
Offset and scale independently
intersection 3 offset and scale divide circles in circles independently connect lines
6 components, 30% open
shift 2
6
shift 2
6 components, 100% open
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
COMPONENT RESEARCH JOINTS BEHAVIOUR Digital exploration to understand limitations and joints behaviour.
system The second joint category is the union of bamboo extremitys. Like the other joints, it just have rotation in one plane and displacement The scissor joints, localized in the middle, just on the other. But it can be treated in a different have rotation in one place and not in 2 as way, once is just a consequence of the scissors questioned. The second plane of movement joints aperture. was just responsible for its displacement.
Initial Position
= 17.68o
= 35.77o
= 30.85o
= 15.62o
Final Position 10
= 57.21o
= 146.5o
= 112.05o
= 70.84o
Joints classification 1
2
1
1b
angle changes no rotation allowed allows displacement
connection between joints 1 angle changes no rotation allowed allows displacement
2 scissor joint single plane rotation allows displacement controls the system aperture
Locking system Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
COMPONENT RESEARCH COMPONENT ARRAY On the second part of component research, once we understood scissors joint behaviour and its restrictions, we decided to apply the gained knowledge on a new module design that could differently combined.
easily generate curvature with a straight material and can be scaled to a variety of applications.
During this stage, we not only tested possible component design to reach the desired global configuration, but also possible aggregations Our approach was based on a single component density to dialogue with many applications. array configuration. This simple system is able to 8 7
Component Array
Component Design
6 5
ap
pro
x. 1
4
.00
m
3
approx. 1.00m
β= 35º
2 α= 10º - 80º
1
Digital exploration
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
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GLOBAL GEOMETRY COMPONENT ARRAY - PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL FORM FINDING
Digital exploration Top view
Perspective
12 Curves
x.
pro
ap
0
6.0
Arch array single curvature
Arch manipulation joints connect in the same plane
Archs connection
Phisical exploration The Grasshopper definition was written to be adaptable to any curve, ensuring that all the joints are in the same plane and the digital result is possible to be assembled in 1:1 scale. The digital model allows us to created different densities and different number of connections between the pieces. The modelc an be set to any curve and density condition, depending on the desired structure application. Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
GLOBAL GEOMETRY MESH DENSITY AND JOINT MAPPING
GLOBAL GEOMETRY
JOINT MAPPING
1 2
2 3 1
density 1
density 1
1
3
2
1
13
density 2
density 2
DEGREES OF FREEDOM
1
α= 16º to 62º
angle changes no rotation allowed allows displacement
2
β= 20º-150º
scissor joint single plane rotation allows displacement controls the system aperture
3
γ= 52º-150º
connection between joints 1 angle changes no rotation allowed allows displacement
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
GLOBAL GEOMETRY JOINT MAPPING From the experiment done ealier, two types of joints were picked to be applied in the global scale; the scissor joint and the lashing method. Lashing method was developed from the four head joint. Instead of using the screws and
metal ring for four-head joints, which are very heavy, we use lashing method because some of the part of the global structure need more flexibility and it is also decrease the weight to the overall structure.
The first joint is constructed by lashing rubber tape on to the bamboos for flexibility and lashing elastic rope on top of it for better strength.
The second joint is a scissor joint.
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++ can be locked in correct angle permanently ++ very strong joint -- the weight of the screws and metal plates are twice as heavy as the bamboo
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
GLOBAL GEOMETRY STRESS ANALYSIS During Core I workshop, we had the opportunity Bamboo diameter and wall thickness to be used in to meet ARUP engineers, specialized in our global form. In order to understand structural constructions with Bamboo. stress, we ran digital structural analysis to compare different bamboos properties and be sure that the Andrew Lawrence and Sebastian Kaminski project can be assemble in a 1:1 scale. guidance was fundamental in our project development and to understand bamboo Displacement, material utilization and bending properties and variables. moment analysis helped us to design anchor pieces and mapped possible areas to have more The first observation was related to the correct flexibility.
Material Utilization
Displacement
Bending Moment
15 *images: results for bamboo 30mm
Material Utilization
diameter and 3mm wall thickness
Bamboo diameter (mm)
Wall (3 mm.)
Wall (7mm.)
30
-105.5% 106.4%
-119.8% 120.6%
60
-50.8% 51.9%
-54.5% 55.5%
Maximum Displacement
Bamboo diameter (mm)
Wall (3 mm.) Wall (7mm.)
Wall (7 mm.)
30
53.9 mm
29.8 mm
60
17.1 cm
8.1 mm
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
MATERIAL EXPERIMENT JOINTS This experiment was done to propose the In these first experiments, none of the materials most suitable material to be used as a joint to achieved the goal of permanently lock the two bamboos together and most of the joints could assemble bamboos together. only rotated in one plane. In the beginning of the research, our idea was to drill bamboo and design a pin joint. However, all the tests cracked, guiding a joint design avoiding bamboo holes. ELASTIC TAPE
RUBBER BAND
METAL SCREW
INELASTIC ROPE
ELASTIC ROPE
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++ easy to achieve the correct angle ++ deployable
++ easy to ++ can be rotatachieve the cor- ed to 180 derect angle grees ++ easy to lock ++ deployable
++ can be rotated to 180 degrees
-- rotation in just one plane
-- difficulties to lock in the correct angle permanently
-- rotation in just one plane
-- rotation in just one plane
++ can be rotate in all planes
-- difficulties to lock in the correct angle
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
JOINTS DESIGN SCISSOR JOINT INITIAL DESIGN In this first configuration, the bamboo were drilled in nuts and bolts together with metal plates. However, this solution appeared to be good in the beginning and after a week, the bamboo started to crack.
As a increases, the angle between the two bamboos decrease. As b increases, the angle between the two bamboos increase.
a
b
17
++ can be in correct permanently
locked angle
++ very strong joint -- the weight of the screws and metal plates are twice as heavy as the bamboo -- the accuracy of drilling bamboo and metal plate is very crucial
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
JOINTS DESIGN SCISSOR JOINT FINAL DESIGN IIn order to avoid bamboo drilling, we develop a joint combined with aluminium plates holded with resin, ensuring a proper pin joint without bamboo crack.
resulted in a flexible joint.
Consequently,we combine two aluminium plates in T-configuration using resin and assemble them by using the screw Firstly we combine a simple to complete this scissor aluminium plate, which joint.
As b increases, the angle between the two bamboos decrease.
b
The bamboo was cut above bamboo’s ring 10 cm. and the resin was filled around 8 cm. or 30 mL t-connection were put to increase the stiffness
1 scissor joint is pinned by the screw and rubber washer
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SECTION Resin Screw Resin
Bamboo
++ can be in correct permanently
locked angle
++ very strong joint ++ using t-joint for better stiffness
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
JOINTS DESIGN FOUR-HEAD JOINT INITIAL DESIGN For the second joint type, we initially design a four-head joint. In this configuration, the bamboo were drilled in nuts and bolts together with metal plates. However, It was heavy and could be simplyfied, once this connection is just following the scissor joint.
The rubber washer is put to increase the fiction between metal and then screw was used to tighten the joint Split the bamboo in half and use the bamboo’s node to lock the joint
Metal ring used to lock the bamboo and metal plate. The longer the metal plate, the more it can bends.
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++ very flexible -- too flexible, cannot control and there no limit of freedom -- very heavy
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
JOINTS DESIGN LOCKING SYSTEM - RATIO
Restricted minimum angle The minimum angle between the two bamboos is restricted by the nature of this configuration. As a increases, the angle between the two bamboos and b decrease. The table below shows the angle between the two bamboos at different length of a. It also illustrates that there are no sequence for the difference in a .
a: 20 mm
a: 30 mm
b variable:angle
length defined on project
a: 40 mm
a
a: 50 mm
a: 60 mm
20 a: 70 mm
a: 80 mm
a: 90 mm
a: 100 mm
a: 110 mm
Table a (mm)
angle (degree)
20
73.74
30
53.17
40
41.13
50
33.41
60
28.08
70
24.20
80
21.24
90
18.93
100
17.06
110
15.53
the difference be- b (mm) tween the angle 20.57 12.04 7.72 5.33 3.88 2.96 2.31 1.87 1.53
384.00 295.34 233.08 196.48 170.68 151.63 137.05 125.54 116.24 108.58
the difference between the angle 88.66 62.26 36.60 25.80 19.05 14.58 11.51 9.30 7.66
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
Formula The formula calculates this minimum angle for different length of bamboo and aluminium plate. This formula here is derived using cosine rule and the properties of isosceles triangle.
=
cos -1
(
1-
b2
2(a+c)2
)
= angle incline from the pivot a = a distant, the length of metal plate to bamboo b = b distant c = the length of bamboo
EXAMPLE
21
At 20 mm., b = 384 mm.
=
cos -1
=
73.73
(
1-
3842 2(20+300)2
)
(
1-
295.342 2(30+300)2
)
(
1-
233.082 2(40+300)2
)
At 30 mm., b = 295.34 mm.
=
cos -1
=
53.169
At 40 mm., b = 233.08 mm.
=
cos -1
=
40.090
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
ASSEMBLE LOGIC PART DEPLOYABLE SYSTEM
global structure approximately 150kg part 3 25kg
bamboo diameter 60mm wall thickness 7mm *all the weight data were extract from the structural analysis
part 2 25kg part 4 25kg
part 1 25kg
part 5 25kg
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anchor piece 2 7.5kg
anchor piece 1 7.5kg
Anchor Points
Split the global geometry
Longevity
Allow correct force distribution and are attached to the ground
In order to allows portability and easy assembly process, the global geometry was divided in 5 parts.
Bamboo structures can last between 10 and 20 years when properly treated to be in outside conditions.
boundary condition
Total dimension and weight were considered to be raised by 2 people.
Cap the holes and chemical treatment are needed.
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
ANALYSIS DENSITY CONTROL The digital model were develop to receive extra data to control bamboo density. The density can be related to sun shading and it can be easily controlled by an attractor point. For a further development, its possible to attach membranes to density 2 areas, as the 5 possibilities shown above. Its clear that we can generate diffrent types of shading.
Density and shading control
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attractor 1
attractor 2
Shading possibilities
combination 1
combination 2
combination 3
combination 4
combination 5
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
ANALYSIS DENSITY AND SHADING ANALYSIS Solar analysis were ran to demostrate that the system can reach a shading function. In order to evaluate both extremes in the results, two possible positions were investigated; Perpendicular and parallel to the North. As an example, we analysed data in Bangkok, Thailand to have accurate results how the system behaves in tropical conditions.
Its clear that in position 2 the system can generate shadow for almost a whole day in June. In contrast, in position 1, half day shadow is being created during the whole year. It can be seen that the global geometry and its density control can reach reasonable results in sun shading.
BANGKOK, THAILAND 13° 45’ 14” N 100° 30’ 05” E
SUN LIGHT HOURS POSITION 1
24 march equinox 08:00 - 22:00
june solstice 08:00 - 22:00
september equinox 08:00 - 22:00
december solstice 08:00 - 22:00
june solstice 08:00 - 22:00
september equinox 08:00 - 22:00
december solstice 08:00 - 22:00
POSITION 2
march equinox 08:00 - 22:00
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
MODEL ASSEMBLY 1:1 SCALE
T-CONNECTION Making T-connection from alluminum to maximise the stiffness.
BAMBOO JOINT Join aluminum bars and bamboo.
RESIN Input the resin into the joint.
MODEL ASSEMBLY
CLAY Using clay if necessary when the position of bamboo rings’ are not the same. When working in both sides, one could be stop the resin spilling while filling another side.
ASSEMBLE
Using screw bolt and rubber washer to assemble the components.
DIFFICULTIES
NODE
The min size for the bamboo is 40 cm. because resin needs min of 10 cm. to fill in.
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RESIN
Resin needs min of 24 hrs. to dry. However, both sides need to be filled resin. It will take minimum of 48 hrs.
STABILITY
Bamboo is not straight. So, it effects the loadbaring.
LACING
Lacing takes minimum of 10 cm. from the end, which makes the scale of bamboo bigger.
THICKNESS
The thickness of bamboo‘s wall is variable as well as the length of bamboo between the nodes.
BAMBOO ‘s SECTION (mm) 100
80 20
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
MODEL ASSEMBLY BAMBOO DIAMETER AND WALL THICKNESS the weight of Bamboo. It is difficult to control the weight of the Bamboo structure in each piece part of the Bamboo structure.
Althougt the Bamboo size around the outer circle are equal, there are differences in the size of inner wall thickness as well as
LETTER
A
B
C
32
31
31
5
3
3
SECTION VIEW
ELEVATION VIEW
BAMBOO DIAMETER (mm) WALL THICKNESS (mm) WEIGHT (g)
26 41
34
25
D
E
F
LETTER SECTION VIEW
ELEVATION VIEW
BAMBOO DIAMETER (mm)
32
34
32
WALL THICKNESS (mm)
4
3
4
WEIGHT (g)
41
36
41
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
CONCLUSION Our goal during Core I project was to develop an intelligent deployable system that could be built in a 1:1 scale. In the begging of the research, bamboo proved to be the correct material to a light and affordable structure. However, despite its structural properties, work with bamboo regards a special attention related to its irregularities, treatment to outside placement and longevity. From the initial research, involving scissor joints and deployable system, it became clear that we should develop pin joints and possible locking systems. For the first experiments, we focused on bamboo drilling techniques, which all resulted in cracked pieces, instantly or after a few days. Facing these results, we started to combine materials and develop a solution avoiding bamboo holes, which could be adapt to a range of dimensions. With this choice, were inevitable to have unconnected bamboo pieces, which particularly affect the structure rigidity. The principal inferences were made during the model assembly process. It was clear that many decisions as joinery design, component size and bamboo diameter were wrong and could be changed in order to improve the project. After the model assembly, it was clear that the use of continuous poles, overlaying pieces, could be a better solution, reducing buckling and increasing stiffness. To achieve these results we should run more experiments with a variety of bamboo sizes, increasing its wall thickness and ensuring that bamboo could be drill without problems. Another challenge was related to the locking system. We develop some alternatives in desktop scale, such as length and angle constrain. Nevertheless, in a 1:1 scale these options still present difficulties. A possible solution could be a cable system, interlocking all the components. Since the beginning of the project, our goal was to achieve a portable deployable structure. During the whole process, the system was design to be deployable as a whole, as can be seen in structure and component experiments. However, in the last experiment, regarding the size of the structure, we decided to divide the structure to be part-deployable. We understand that can be a contradiction to develop a deployable system and after split it. Though, in order to be a 1:1 scale project, partition in an alternative. The system and solutions are the same and can be connect without any complication. Further research focused on bamboo properties, regarding the project design, will help us to develop correct fabrication techniques. Despite technical assembly problems and joinery design decisions, it is clear that the project has potential to be manufactured in a full scale.
Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
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REFERENCES Achim Menges, AD Special Issue: Material Synthesis: Fusing the Physical and the Computational, John Wiley and Sons: London, 2015. “The New Cyber-Physical Making in Architecture: Computational Construction”, Achim Menges Branko Kolarevic and Vera Parlac, eds, Building Dynamics: Exploring Architecture of Change, Routledge: London and New York, 2015. “Material as Mechanism in Agile Spaces”, Vera Parlac Bob Sheil, ed, AD Reader: Manufacturing the Bespoke: Making and Prototyping Architecture, John Wiley and Sons: London, 2012. “From Making the Bespoke to Manufacturing the Bespoke”, Bob Sheil Manuel Kretzer and Ludger Hovestadt, eds, Alive: Advancements in Adaptive Architecture, Birkhauser: Basel, 2014. “Adaptive Architecture: Low-Tech, High-Tech or Both?”, Branko Kolarevic Sigrid Brell-Cokcan and Johannes Braumann, eds, Rob|Arch 2012: Robotic Fabrication in Architecture, Art and Design, Springer-Verlag: Vienna, 2013. “Digital by Material: Envisioning an Extended Performative Materiality in the Digital Age of Architecture”, Jan Willman, Fabio Gramazio, Matthias Kohler and Silke Langenberg Vienna, 2013. “Morphospaces of Robotic Fabrication”, Achim Menges Images Image 1 Andry Widyowijatnoko, “Traditional and innovative joints in Bamboo construction”, RWTH Aachen University Dissertation Image 2 http://www.bs-bamboo.co.uk/ Emergent Technologies & Design 2015-16 | Core Studio I BambooX
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