The present work is focused on the analysis of the microstructure of the exoskeleton of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus and the extraction of design concepts by implementing geometrically described 3D Voronoi diagrams. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of dried sea urchin shells revealed a foam-like microstructure, also known as the stereom. Subsequently, parametric, digital models were created with the aid of the computer-aided design (CAD) software Rhinoceros 3D (v. Rhino 7, 7.1.20343.09491) combined with the visual programming environment Grasshopper. Variables such as node count, rod thickness and mesh smoothness of the biologically-inspired Voronoi lattice were adapted for 3D printing cubic specimens using the fused filament fabrication (FFF) method. The filaments used in the process were a commercial polylactic acid (PLA), a compound of polylactic acid/polyhydroxyalkanoate (PLA/PHA) and a wood fiber polylactic acid/polyhydroxyalkanoate (PLA/PHA) composite. Nanoindentation tests coupled with finite element analysis (FEA) produced the stress–strain response of the materials under study and were used to simulate the Voronoi geometries under a compression loading regime in order to study their deformation and stress distribution in relation to experimental compression testing. The PLA blend with polyhydroxyalkanoate seems to have a minor effect on the mechanical behavior of such structures, whereas when wood fibers are added to the compound, a major decrease in strength occurs. The computational model results significantly coincide with the experimental results.
The paper expands on the potential of using Augmented Reality (AR) for the design and customization of bridges. Following a literature review on the use of AR in architectural design, and in particular in design education, the authors discuss educational experiences gained in two digital design studios. These two courses were taught remotely at the University of Thessaly and the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and cross-informed each other. The teaching experiences of the authors were evaluated and subsequently used to develop the curriculum of “Augmented Bridges”, an experimental AR design studio. The aim of the paper is to present current research in AR and the interactive design process of site-specific bridges, using digital and augmented media. The studio results offered valuable insight into the educational and creative value of AR technologies in architecture.
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