SOFT HARDNESS

Achievements: The paper "Research and Practice of Concrete Space Weaving Based on Adaptable and Reusable Flexible Mold System" was published in（ISBN978-7-5680-8873-2）

"Empowering Digital Intelligence - Thesis Collection of 2022 National Architectural Digital Technology Teaching and Research Symposium"

Type: Studio work in TJU Group work as leader

Site: Tianjin University

Grade: Senior

Date: 2022.03-2022.06(16weeks)

Course Name & Number: Architectural design foundation 6 (2060372)

Instructor: Ye Zhang, Xuehai Bai

VThis is a project based on material exploration and construction. We achieve large-scale 3D printing effects by exploring the way of pouring concrete inside a hose. As we have tried to design some simple branchs in the first step, so we tend to develop it from a random pattern to a more regular pattern. We choose L-system as one guidance to help us develop our design. We use grasshopper to simulate severalL-system,and generate the branch structure.After that, we create the curves by follow the structure, and optimize the curves.Finally, we transform the curves to tubes.

Initially, we tried to use the most simple and easy-to-obtain quick-setting materials for testing, fixing the shape of the hose with rubber bands, and using a utility knife to demould after the plaster solidified.

Experiment A

The nodes we initially used were made of 3D printed soft glue, which is cheap and easy to obtain, has good sealing and shaping ability, can fit the hose shape well, and can be reused.We can see several connection methods between multiple hoses after the node is added through the following set of photos, providing us with the possibility to create complex forms.

Experiment B

In order to be able to add optimization algorithms to the computer for more complex and higher quality form generation simulations, we used kangroo to test and simulate the mechanical properties of concreted hoses in the computer, and designed a set of applications Cartesian coordinate system construction system to help us locate the hose.

The construction system consists of a base and a positioning perforated plate. When we get a shape in the computer, we can convert it into the solid construction space by outputting the three-dimensional space coordinates at the node of the hose.

Experiment B

After exploring the material properties, we used the Karamba3D plug-in to perform a structural analysis of the existing scheme and optimized it on the basis of the analysis.

Structural analysis is divided into material use density analysis and displacement analysis, which is used to test the strength of the chair and ensure the accuracy of the construction.

When faced with the form construction of space volume, we choose the slime mold algorithm to calculate the relative optimal solution of structure and form. to structural mechanics, transforming the shortest path in space into the least force flow in a structure.

This is the force flow optimization and structural simulation of a simple structural column, we can replace a square column with a small number of hoses.

In the plug-in analysis of the material use density, we analyzed the compression and tension of various parts of the chair under only its own gravity.

Where the positive data is the degree of compression, the negative data is the degree of compression, and the analysis results are shown in the figure.

After fully analyzing the material and structural properties of the scheme, after more than ten days of construction, we successfully shaped a pavilion with a span of 8 meters and a height of 2 meters.

The pavilion is as vigorous and powerful as a giant hand, growing firmly on the ground. Our structures perfectly convey the beauty of concrete's rugged glow.We tried to wrap the space with free-form surfaces, by setting the directions of several main force flows in advance to densely wrap the pavilion shape of the entire space.

For the use of concrete sprinklers, the machine can pour concrete mortar from the top opening of the machine from the bottom port through the operation of the internal pump, often used to spray the exterior wall of buildings at a distance, with a high spray pressure. The use of metal hose hoops to fix the hose port at the bottom of the sprinkler outlet is used, and the thrust generated by the machine can be used to feed very viscous high-strength concrete into the hose at high pressure, and keep the slurry dense during the process of advancing forward.