Articulated Component Surfaces by Tejas Sidnal

articulated component surfaces andrew haas | mikaella papadopoulou | tejas sidnal

contents

flow chart abstract precedents component iterations component analysis regional analysis regional mapping computational analysis deformation analysis global movement & conclusions

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01 02 03 04 05 07 09 12 13 15

a nd re w h a a s | m i k ae l l a p a p a d o p o u l ou | tejas sidnal

research

design development

materiality geometry spatial value control

canopy enclosure screen

materiality geometric limitations joinery design fabrication computation evaluation

local

refinement and assembly

evaluation regional

global

abstract

This project explores the use of a simple geometry to develop a complex spatial configuration. Through a series of component aggregations, local, regional and global hierarchies develop within the system. These orders are defined through a local actuator element developed to adjust each component, allowing for a multitude of forms it can take. Integrated components on a regional scale influence their neighbours crea t i n g p a t c h e s o f d i ff e r i n g f o r m i n t e n s i t y a n d p o r o s i t y. R e g i o n a l p a t c h e s combine to develop a varying global system. Through both physical and computational associative modelling, these variations demonstrate clear hierarchical component logic, resulting in a final self-supporting form with global double curvature. 02

a nd re w h a a s | m i k ae l l a p a p a d o p o u l ou | tejas sidnal

precedents differentiated wood lattice shell jian huang and minhwan park harvard gsd, 2009 This project investigated lattice geometries based on bending behavior of wooden elements with varying cross-sectional dimensions along their length. The lattice shape is developed in relation to the differential bending behavior of its individual members on the initially planar grid. A stressed wooden skin was developed, which forces the lattice into its double curved state by the local actuation of each skin element. Once the actuators are adjusted to a specific articulation the lattice geometry takes form.

limitations: The form is developed through articulation of components to lift an adjoining cross grid lattice for structural support rather than a self-supporting set of components.

meta patch josepg kellner and david newton rice university, 2004 This project explored the material capacity of a system consisting of uniform elements that can be employed to achieve variable yet stable configurations with complex curvature through a vast array of local actuations. Each element consists of a rectangular timber patch, secured in two opposite corners, with basic actuation of the remaining two corners at an increased distance through a spacer element to create a geometric form change. Each element is then proliferated across a larger panel to create a regional assembly. The incremental actuation and consequential bending of each of these individual elements lead to a cumulative induction of curvature in the larger panel. These larger panels are then attached together to create an overall global assembly. 03

photos: www.achimmenges.net

limitations: The system creates a two sided form of component groups and flat panel patches, rather than a uniform pattern on a global scale. Although creating a self-supporting structure, the strength of the material limits its degree of curvature and form creation.

component iterations A series of prototypes were developed to explore variations of porosity and curvature in the system. A wooden frame provided stiffness on a local scale, but created too much tension at the joints on a scale, creating limited movement of the component. Moving to a polypropylene frame, it enabled less friction and greater bending tolerance at the joints - creating a wider range of movement, but the unpredictability of the frames flexibility itself became problematic. Removing the frame proved to provide a higher level of curvature on a regional scale due to each local component weighing less without the weight of a frame structure. When moved to a global scale it was evident that the polypropylene needed to be scaled to a greater thickness in order to reduce buckling and increase overall strength of the global system.

wooden frame

polypropylene frame

0.5 mm polypropylene

0.7 mm polypropylene 04

a nd re w h a a s | m i k ae l l a p a p a d o p o u l ou | tejas sidnal

component analysis

The individual component is comprised of two 0.7 polypropylene sheets, one translucent - the other transparent, measuring 100mm x 100mm, connected by four 3mm think bolts measuring 140mm each. Actuating two of the bolts at 100mm intervals allows for positive and negative movement in the z direction on the local component, creating multiple angles of rotation in relation to its regional neighbours. Actuating equal distances in both the negative and positive directions allows for the creation of a cluster of components that create a planar surface. An accumulation of these angles on a regional scale allows for a dynamic global curvature to develop in the system. Creating an imaginary plane between the static and dynamic bolt of each component we developed a catalog of local component varieties, their deformations and porosity opening to use for an assembly map during fabrication.

xis

type a

reference plane

deformation (mm) x: y: opening (mm) z: assembly

13.9 14.1 0

13.7 14.1 -1

13.5 14.1 -2

13.3 14.1 -3

13.0 14.1 -4

12.7 14.1 -5

12.5 14.1 -6

arrangement

porosity (%) 05

type a

type b

type c

12.3 14.1 7

12.5 14.1 6

12.7 14.1 5

13.0 14.1 4

13.3 14.1 3

13.5 14.1 2

13.7 14.1 1

13.9 14.1 0

100

58 06

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regional analysis After analyzing the single component and its variations on the local scale, these findings were applied at the regional scale of the system. Variations in the actuation patterns on components were then cataloged to study movement and achievable curvature possibilities. Two regional patterns were studied, differentiating the pattern spacing by 10mm on each component across a 6x6 patch, and a pattern spacing of 20mm across a 4x4 patch. In each study an equal height displacement was reached, but achieved across differing distances and with different levels of curvature.

4 x 4 grid height iteration : 20mm flat length (L1) = 520mm curve : 20째

anticlastic curve maximum deformation (L1.a): 410mm

L1 L1.b

154mm

synclastic curve maximum deformation (L1.b): 410mm

L1 = 520 mm

L1 L1.a

154mm

6 x 6 grid height iteration : 10mm flat length (L2) = 780mm curve : 20째

anticlastic curve maximum deformation (L2.a): 650mm synclastic curve maximum deformation (L2.b): 650mm

L2 L2.b

154mm L2 L2.a

L2 = 780 mm

154mm 08

a nd re w h a a s | m i k ae l l a p a p a d o p o u l ou | tejas sidnal

regional mapping The component allows for a total of 15 variations in which it can be configured. These configurations were assigned a color and diagrammed onto a map as instructions for physical assembly. The resulting physical assemblies were measured and documented to establish parameters while building and calibrating the computational model.

assembly maps type c

x = 535mm

synclastic

h = 193mm

x = 621mm

planar

y =808mm

type b

y =823mm

type a

y =808mm

component assignments

h = 0mm

x = 444mm

h =213mm

antulastic 10

a nd re w h a a s | m i k ae l l a p a p a d o p o u l ou | tejas sidnal

establish point grid define positive attractor points define negative attractor points define distance between grid points and nearest attractor points

synclastic curvature

calibrate point deviation based on test models

establish surface from manipulated point grid subdivide surface based on component proliferation evaluate subsurface angle in relation to neighbours

assign corresponding components necessary to achieve angle

anticlastic curvature

catalogue components in lists for assembly maps assemble measure dimensions and angles for further re-calibration

mixed curvature 11

computational analysis

7/0

7/-1

Data from the physical model were compiled to create a computational model. This computational model rebuilds and constricts the amount of curvature on a generated surface to fit within the parameters of the maximum global curvature that the components creating the surface can achieve. Synclastic, anticlastic and mixed curve surfaces were generated in the computational model, mapped out and physically built at the regional scale. These physical manifestations were then measured and compared to the computational model for any necessary recalibration of the generating algorithm. This process was iterated multiple times to more successfully calibrate the algorithm as closely as possible to establish a more accurate digital model to a resulting built form.

7/0

7/-2

7/-1

7/-3

7/-4

7/-2

7/-5

7/-3 7/-4

7/-6

7/-5

7/7

6/7

7/-6

5/7

7/7 6/7

4/7

5/7

3/7

4/7

2/7

1/7

3/7

0/7

2/7 1/7 0/7

7/0 7/-1 7/-2 7/-3 7/-4 7/-5 7/-6 7/7 6/7 5/7 4/7

a nd re w h a a s | m i k ae l l a p a p a d o p o u l ou | tejas sidnal

synclastic curvature 1a

x (mm): y (mm): height (mm): curve:

808 535 193 20°

809 540 175 18°

anticlastic curvature 2a

x (mm): y (mm): height (mm): curve:

808 444 213 24°

810 550 156 15°

810 550 151 16°

813 565 120 12°

813 565 115 12°

815 580 84 9°

815 580 79 10°

817 595 12 6°

817 595 43 6°

820 611 12 3°

823 621 0 0°

a nd re w h a a s | m i k ae l l a p a p a d o p o u l ou | tejas sidnal

global assembly

At the global scale it was clear that the calibration used at the regional scale was no longer an accurate assessment of how the system was performing over a larger accumulation of components. The overall weight pulling on the system created unexpected pressure points and deformation, causing buckling and bending throughout the system. Looking at the organization of openings it was found that the amount of change was too drastic from component to component. Limiting this change and calibrating it into the computational model drastically altered the performance of the physical model, successfully addressing any buckling and deformation issues.