Intuitive interactive form finding of optimised fabric-cast concrete

Richens, P., Shepherd, P. and Bak, A. 2012. Intuitive interactive form finding of optimised fabric-cast concrete. Second International Conference on Flexible Formwork (icff2012). University of Bath, Bath 27 Jun 2012

TitleIntuitive interactive form finding of optimised fabric-cast concrete
AuthorsRichens, P., Shepherd, P. and Bak, A.
TypeConference paper
Abstract

Producing organic shapes in concrete has been a challenging problem since complex freeform buildings became a major trend in contemporary architecture. Many different techniques for casting doubly-curved shapes have been proposed. Most of them produce elements which exactly match a preconceived design, but at a high cost in manufacture. Fabric formwork techniques (such as those pioneered at the Centre of Architectural Structures and Technology at the University of Manitoba (CAST)) are relatively economical, but require a form-finding approach which takes into account the physics of casting, as well as structural and functional requirements of the finished element. The research presented here involves a specialised methodology for the design and manufacture of optimised concrete elements cast in fabric formwork. Using a novel software tool, our approach lies in between the largely intuitive methods reported by CAST and the precise but expensive computer-controlled manufacturing methods normally used in practice. Combining topological optimisation with computational form-finding, the developed software guides the designer towards a shape that is economical in both material and manufacturability. By combining knowledge of computational structural analysis, optimisation algorithms, fabric simulation and the practical casting techniques of fabric formwork; the gap between structurally optimised forms, and those developed intuitively by fabric casting, can be bridged. This is demonstrated through a case study involving the computational design of a centrally supported slab, supplemented with design studies realised using plaster scale models.

Year2012
ConferenceSecond International Conference on Flexible Formwork (icff2012)
Publication dates
PublishedJun 2012

Related outputs

Multi-objective optimisation of building geometry for energy consumption and view quality
Richens, P., Xuereb Conti, Z. and Shepherd, P. 2015. Multi-objective optimisation of building geometry for energy consumption and view quality. 33rd eCAADe Conference. Vienna Technical University, Vienna, Austria 18 Sep 2015

Applying dynamic relaxation techniques to form-find and manufacture curve-crease folded panels
Richens, P., Bhooshan, S., Bhooshan, V., ElSayed, M., Chandra, S. and Shepherd, P. 2015. Applying dynamic relaxation techniques to form-find and manufacture curve-crease folded panels. Simulation: Transactions of the Society for Modeling and Simulation International. 91 (9), pp. 773-786. https://doi.org/10.1177/0037549715599849

Beckford’s ride: the reconstruction of historic landscapes
Richens, P. and Harney, M. 2013. Beckford’s ride: the reconstruction of historic landscapes. in: Bowen, J.P., Keene, S. and Ng, K. (ed.) Electronic visualisation in arts and culture London Springer. pp. 259-276

The case for subdivision surfaces in building design
Richens, P. and Shepherd, P. 2012. The case for subdivision surfaces in building design. Journal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures. 53 (4), pp. 237-245.

Foreword to 'Distributed intelligence in design'
Richens, P. 2011. Foreword to 'Distributed intelligence in design'. in: Kocatürk, T. and Medjdoub, B. (ed.) Distributed intelligence in design Oxford Wiley. pp. x-xi

Subdivision surfaces for integrated design, analysis and optimisation
Richens, P. and Shepherd, P. 2011. Subdivision surfaces for integrated design, analysis and optimisation. IASS Annual Symposium: IABSE-IASS 2011: Taller, Longer, Lighter. London 20 Sep 2011

Towards non-linear representation
Richens, P. 2011. Towards non-linear representation. Architectural Research Quarterly. 15 (2), pp. 93-95. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1359135511000492

Geometry optimisation for adaptable lightweight structures in remote areas
Richens, P., Shepherd, P. and Fernandoy, J. 2011. Geometry optimisation for adaptable lightweight structures in remote areas. IASS Annual Symposium: IABSE-IASS 2011: Taller, Longer, Lighter. London 20 Sep 2011 Brintex.

Performance based interactive analysis
Richens, P., Shepherd, P. and Georgiou, O. 2011. Performance based interactive analysis. Design Modelling Symposium. Berlin 07 Oct 2011 Springer.

Subdivision surface modelling for architecture
Richens, P. and Shepherd, P. 2010. Subdivision surface modelling for architecture. 50th International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) Symposium 2009. Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Spain 28 Sep 2009 International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS).

Early examples of the ionic capital. 7: Corner Capital – Delos Museum
Richens, P., Wilson Jones, M. and Herdt, G. 2009. Early examples of the ionic capital. 7: Corner Capital – Delos Museum. https://doi.org/10.15125/BATH-00789

Early examples of the ionic capital
Richens, P., Wilson Jones, M. and Herdt, G. 2009. Early examples of the ionic capital.

Modelling the Ionic capital
Richens, P. and Herdt, G. 2009. Modelling the Ionic capital. 27th Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe. Istanbul Technical University and Yildiz Technical University, Istanb. Istanbul 16 Sep 2009 eCAADe (Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe).

Patterning reconfigurable narrative: interactive cinema as architectural elevation within 3D interactive digital environments
Richens, P., Sussner, J. and Thomas, M. 2006. Patterning reconfigurable narrative: interactive cinema as architectural elevation within 3D interactive digital environments. Digital Creativity. 17 (4), pp. 243-256. https://doi.org/10.1080/14626260601074243

Telling stories through space: The Mindstage Project
Richens, P. and Nitsche, M. 2006. Telling stories through space: The Mindstage Project. 3rd International Conference, TIDSE (Technologies for Interactive Digital Storytelling and Entertainment) 2006. Darmstadt, Germany 04 Dec 2006 Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/11944577_6

Combining linear content and spatial design in Mindstage
Richens, P. and Nitsche, M. 2005. Combining linear content and spatial design in Mindstage. Mit4: 4th Conference on Media in Transition - The Work of Stories. Boston, Massachussetts, USA 06 May 2005

Mindstage: towards a functional virtual architecture
Richens, P. and Nitsche, M. 2005. Mindstage: towards a functional virtual architecture. 11th International CAAD Futures Conference. Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria 20 Jun 2005 Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3698-1_31

Raster analysis of urban form
Richens, P. and Ratti, C. 2004. Raster analysis of urban form. Environment and Planning B: planning and design. 31 (2), pp. 297-309. https://doi.org/10.1068/b2665

Stylist and scaleable: vector graphics for all on the web
Richens, P. and Ruffle, S. 2004. Stylist and scaleable: vector graphics for all on the web. International Journal of Architectural Computing. 2 (3), pp. 333-350. https://doi.org/10.1260/1478077043505388

Generation of variational standard plant room solutions
Richens, P., Medjdoub, B. and Barnard, N. 2003. Generation of variational standard plant room solutions. Automation in Construction. 12 (2), pp. 155-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0926-5805(02)00006-7

Web based consultation for Cambridge University's building program
Richens, P. and Ruffle, S. 2001. Web based consultation for Cambridge University's building program. 21st Annual Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Design in Architecture. ACADIA. Buffalo, New York, USA 2001 ACADIA.

Computer simulation in daylight design: a comparison
Richens, P. and Ashmore, J.P. 2001. Computer simulation in daylight design: a comparison. Architectural Science Review. 44 (1), pp. 33-44. https://doi.org/10.1080/00038628.2001.9697451

Building Services Standard solutions: variational generation of plant room layouts
Richens, P., Medjdoub, B. and Barnard, N. 2001. Building Services Standard solutions: variational generation of plant room layouts. 9th International Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Futures. Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands 08 Jul 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Pano painter: sketching in the round
Richens, P. and Ashmore, J.P. 2001. Pano painter: sketching in the round. 3rd International Mathematics and Design Conference 2001: digital, hand, eye, ear, mind. Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia 03 Jul 2001 School of Architecture and Building, School of Computing & Mathematics, Deakin University: Mathematics & Design Association.

Design participation through the internet
Richens, P., Trinder, M. and Nagashima, M. 2001. Design participation through the internet. Journal of Architecture and Building Science. 116 (1481), pp. 353-358.

Playing games
Richens, P. 2000. Playing games. Digital Creativity. 11 (3), pp. 156-160. https://doi.org/10.1076/digc.11.3.156.8864

Design participation through the internet: a case study
Richens, P. and Trinder, M. 1999. Design participation through the internet: a case study. Architectural Research Quarterly. 3 (4), pp. 361-374. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1359135500002256

The Piranesi system for interactive rendering
Richens, P. 1999. The Piranesi system for interactive rendering. 8th International Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Futures. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA 07 Jun 1999 Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5047-1_25

Urban texture analysis with image processing techniques
Richens, P. and Ratti, C. 1999. Urban texture analysis with image processing techniques. 8th International Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Futures. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA 07 Jun 1999 Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5047-1_4

Image processing for urban scale environmental modelling
Richens, P. 1997. Image processing for urban scale environmental modelling. Intemational IBPSA Conference: Building Simulation 97. Prague, Czech Republic 08 Sep 1997 IBPSA.

Computer-aided art direction
Richens, P. 1997. Computer-aided art direction. in: Penz, F. and Thomas, M. (ed.) Cinema and architecture: Melies, Mallet-Stevens, multimedia London BFI Publishing.

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/99v35/intuitive-interactive-form-finding-of-optimised-fabric-cast-concrete


Share this

Usage statistics

87 total views
0 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.