CAD-integrated Parametric Design Cycle for Structural Membranes

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 266-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Goldbach ◽  
K.-U. Bletzinger
Keyword(s):  
Design Space ◽  
Parametric Design ◽  
Pattern Generation ◽  
Parametric Models ◽  
Membrane Structures ◽  
B Splines ◽  
Design Cycle ◽  
Structural Membranes ◽  
Cutting Pattern ◽  
Topology Information

The design cycle of membrane structures consists of three interactive and highly non-linear disciplines. Formfinding is performed in order to find a geometry that allows the prestressed structure to carry loads through tension only. Once a formfound geometry is set, structural analysis needs to assess the structure's safety and usability. The most challenging step is the cutting pattern generation, which aims at finding the planar pieces which can be elevated to build spatial membrane structures with a minimum deviation from the desired shape and prestress state.<br/> Isogeometric B-Rep Analysis (IBRA) allows the designer to perform analyses on the original CAD model without leaving the CAD environment. High quality is ensured for the geometry and the mechanical approximation by using Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS). Additionally, the topology information of multipatches can be transferred to the analysis in order to enrich the design space. Trimmed and coupled surfaces can thus be included in the analysis. Parametric models allow the designer to examine a large variety of geometrical and mechanical entities with one model.<br/> The advantages of the CAD-integration with IBRA for the highly interactive design of structural membranes are shown in this contribution.

Enabling parametric design space exploration by non-designers

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Castro e Costa ◽  
Joaquim Jorge ◽  
Aaron D. Knochel ◽  
José Pinto Duarte
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Mass Customization ◽  
Design Space Exploration ◽  
Design Space ◽  
Parametric Design ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
End Users ◽  
Parametric Models ◽  
Direct Manipulation ◽  
Barycentric Interpolation

AbstractIn mass customization, software configurators enable novice end-users to design customized products and services according to their needs and preferences. However, traditional configurators hardly provide an engaging experience while avoiding the burden of choice. We propose a Design Participation Model to facilitate navigating the design space, based on two modules. Modeler enables designers to create customizable designs as parametric models, and Navigator subsequently permits novice end-users to explore these designs. While most parametric designs support direct manipulation of low-level features, we propose interpolation features to give customers more flexibility. In this paper, we focus on the implementation of such interpolation features into Navigator and its user interface. To assess our approach, we designed and performed user experiments to test and compare Modeler and Navigator, thus providing insights for further developments of our approach. Our results suggest that barycentric interpolation between qualitative parameters provides a more easily understandable interface that empowers novice customers to explore the design space expeditiously.

Design variable analysis and generation for performance-based parametric modeling in architecture

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan C Brown ◽  
Caitlin T Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Design Space Exploration ◽  
Design Space ◽  
Parametric Design ◽  
Computational Design ◽  
Parametric Modeling ◽  
Parametric Models ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Design Variables ◽  
Variable Analysis

Many architectural designers recognize the potential of parametric models as a worthwhile approach to performance-driven design. A variety of performance simulations are now possible within computational design environments, and the framework of design space exploration allows users to generate and navigate various possibilities while considering both qualitative and quantitative feedback. At the same time, it can be difficult to formulate a parametric design space in a way that leads to compelling solutions and does not limit flexibility. This article proposes and tests the extension of machine learning and data analysis techniques to early problem setup in order to interrogate, modify, relate, transform, and automatically generate design variables for architectural investigations. Through analysis of two case studies involving structure and daylight, this article demonstrates initial workflows for determining variable importance, finding overall control sliders that relate directly to performance and automatically generating meaningful variables for specific typologies.

scholarly journals Cutting patterns of membrane structures

Filomat ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetozar Rancic ◽  
Milan Zlatanovic ◽  
Nikola Velimirovic
Keyword(s):  
Shortest Paths ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Pattern Generation ◽  
Membrane Structures ◽  
State Strength ◽  
Cutting Pattern ◽  
Improved Accuracy ◽  
The Given ◽  
External Loads ◽  
Zero Mean Curvature

Membrane structures are very lightweight and highly optimized structures. Due to the constant stress state, strength of materials is used optimally. In order to prevent the occurrence of large deformations even for small external loads, membrane structures are designed as a double curved surfaces and are stabilized by applying prestress. Minimal surfaces has zero mean curvature and the basic advantage is that the stress at all points and directions is equal and there are no extreme stresses anywhere on the surface. Also have minimal area for the given contour, so the weight and amount of material is reduced to minimum, which make them suitable for application in architecture. Practical realization involve process of cutting pattern generation, which divide surfaces in parts that are developable surfaces. When patterns are assembled and prestressed they provide three-dimensional surface. Ideally, the cutting lines should follow the geodesics lines. We use geodesics as the shortest path between two points on a surface. In the article we give method for finding shortest paths on polygonal representations of surfaces follows continual Dijkstra paradigm which, on some conditions, can give improved accuracy on a computer despite the restriction of available memory and execution time.

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