Gridshells are shells where the structural system is some kind of grid of linear members rather than a surface. With today’s focus on environmentally friendly solutions, gridshells have gained increased relevance as inherently material-efficient structures. This paper investigates the recent research on gridshells, who performs it and what their contributions are, and will thus provide an overview of the research field of gridshells. This study is performed as a systematic mapping. The articles were categorised by research type, motivation, contribution, gridshell type, material, and scientific field. The study shows that most articles are within structural engineering, whereas contributions from architecture were hard to find. The typical study was theoretical studies performing analyses on a specific load or structural behaviour. Some possible knowledge gaps were also identified, including review articles on loads and behaviour, research on bending active metal gridshells and development of gridshell nodes.
Gridshell nodes are key elements regarding structural performance, visual appearance and assembly of any gridshell that have been given little attention in recent research. This paper explores aluminium as a material for timber gridshell nodes. First, existing gridshell nodes are categorised regarding bulk materials, gripper types and connection methods and based on this, a set of novel node principles in aluminium are deducted and proposed for a timber gridshell on the geometry of the British Museum Great Court. A finite element analysis is done on the proposals to increase the understanding of the node principles’ structural behaviour and feasibility. Together, the set of node principles, their evaluation and the utilised procedure can provide new options in the future design of gridshells and gridshell nodes.
Linking architectural models to structural analyses can be demanding and time-consuming, especially when the architectural models cannot be accurately analysed using readily available one- or two-dimensional finite elements. This paper presents a tool for finite element analysis using solid elements developed as a plugin for Grasshopper 3D® that enables designers to include analyses of complex objects within the same software as the design exploration. A benchmark using the tool on a cantilever beam is compared with both ANSYS® and the theoretical solution, before the versatility of the tool is demonstrated by analyzing the metal part in timber gridshell nodes. The results were satisfying and the tool can prove especially useful for early phase design and collaboration between diciplines.
<p>Freeform structures can provide both aesthetically interesting and material efficient solutions but are considered a demanding task for both structural design, manufacturing and architectural design. A free form surface is therefore rationalized into something more buildable like the gridshell. However, a digital design process with freeform geometry can be a complex and confusing task. By defining a gridshell as <i>nodes</i>(joints) and <i>elements</i>(members), we can set up a parametric workflow that handles the complexity in design and analysis. Optimization and rationalization of shape, topology, and cross-section are studied real-time, giving the designer confidence and design- freedom. This paper explains a parametric workflow for designing freeform gridshells. Through the design and construction of a timber gridshell pavilion with 3D printed nylon nodes, we discovered important elements of the parametric design process of freeform gridshells.</p>
<p>The fourth industrial revolution, already present in the several industries, is now entering the field of civil engineering. Digital fabrication, mass customization, robot arms and drones are connected within the building information modeling (BIM) systems. All the work that is currently accomplished by nonprofessional or semi-professional workers can now be automated or delegated to robots. The main motivation behind this shift is economical: lowering the overall cost by increasing project time predictability and enhancing work security at the same time. The proper use of computers and machines helps avoiding random errors that are cumbersome to detect and thus slower the process of the project. For example: Using computer numerical control (CNC) sawing machines significantly increases the quality and accuracy of the timber elements that are sent to a construction side. Using pneumatic nail pistols or numerical welding machines speed up the joining process. Everything what happens since now was focused mostly on eliminating human factor from construction site. The most dramatic mistakes in civil engineering are prevalently made in the design phase of construction process. One can risk the thesis that knowledge available to the designer, i.e. the finite element method, scripting tools, Eurocodes, parametric modelling, and power computing machines could all be smartly merged together to eliminate the source of random errors from the design phase. In other words, we dare to propose an automated designing process concept with a limited interference of the designer. This is naturally followed by the new role of the designer, that to both qualitative and quantitative change.</p>
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