Structural Behaviour of Single Layer Space Frame with Member Arrangement Following Spiral Phyllotaxis

Abstract

The regular arrangement of the plant organs is botanically known as phyllotaxis. Among the types of phyllotaxis found in nature, spiral phyllotaxis is the most frequently found pattern. The unique arrangement of this pattern in plants has benefited most of the plant structure as it enables them to grow more efficiently and compatible for physical constraints such as moisture and amount of light falls. In this research, the unique spiral phyllotaxis pattern has been adopted as idea for member arrangement pattern for structural space frame system. Two type of spiral phyllotaxis pattern and one regular model are generated. Analysis using finite element software LUSAS has been carried out in order to determine the effect of member arrangement following spiral phyllotaxis on stresses and displacement in the space frames.