scholarly journals Finding the Key: Designing Timber Connections for CLT Panels

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Gabriella Joyce
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Computational Design ◽  
Digital Fabrication ◽  
Timber Construction ◽  
Structural Capacity ◽  
Connection System ◽  
Digital Modelling ◽  
Thermal Bridging ◽  
Timber Connections ◽  
Mass Timber

<p>In a climate where standard methods of construction are being challenged, developments in engineered timbers are allowing mass timber construction to be explored as a sustainable alternative to traditional building methods. Cross- laminated timber (CLT) is at the forefront of this evolution and, with the advancement in computational design and digital fabrication tools, there lies an opportunity to redefine standard construction. This project explores how digital modelling and advance digital fabrication can be combined to generate a connection system for CLT panels.  The advantages of CLT and mass timber construction are numerous and range from environmental and aesthetic benefits to site safety and cost reduction benefits. There are, however, issues that remain surrounding the connections between CLT panels. Steurer (2006, p.136) stated that, “Progress in engineered timber construction is directly related to developments in connector technology.” This thesis creates connections inspired by traditional Japanese joinery that have been adapted to be used for the panel construction of CLT structures. Using CLT offcuts as a primary connection material, the system not only reduces waste but also mitigates thermal bridging and lowers the number of connection points whilst increasing the ease of building and fabrication.  The connections are first considered at a detail scale. They use the literature review and case studies as a base for design before being tested using digitally fabricated prototypes. These prototypes are evaluated against a framework created in line with the aforementioned criteria. Within this framework, the connections are analysed against existing connection systems as well as previous designs to establish a successful system. The connections are then evaluated within the context of a building scale and considers large-scale fabrication and on- site assembly whilst continuing to focus on the reduction of waste. This research found that the simplicity of the connections is key to a successful system as this allows for faster and cheaper fabrication and installation. However, there is still further research needed surrounding large-scale fabrication and the structural capacity of timber connection systems.</p>

scholarly journals Finding the Key: Designing Timber Connections for CLT Panels

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Gabriella Joyce
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Computational Design ◽  
Digital Fabrication ◽  
Timber Construction ◽  
Structural Capacity ◽  
Connection System ◽  
Digital Modelling ◽  
Thermal Bridging ◽  
Timber Connections ◽  
Mass Timber

<p>In a climate where standard methods of construction are being challenged, developments in engineered timbers are allowing mass timber construction to be explored as a sustainable alternative to traditional building methods. Cross- laminated timber (CLT) is at the forefront of this evolution and, with the advancement in computational design and digital fabrication tools, there lies an opportunity to redefine standard construction. This project explores how digital modelling and advance digital fabrication can be combined to generate a connection system for CLT panels.  The advantages of CLT and mass timber construction are numerous and range from environmental and aesthetic benefits to site safety and cost reduction benefits. There are, however, issues that remain surrounding the connections between CLT panels. Steurer (2006, p.136) stated that, “Progress in engineered timber construction is directly related to developments in connector technology.” This thesis creates connections inspired by traditional Japanese joinery that have been adapted to be used for the panel construction of CLT structures. Using CLT offcuts as a primary connection material, the system not only reduces waste but also mitigates thermal bridging and lowers the number of connection points whilst increasing the ease of building and fabrication.  The connections are first considered at a detail scale. They use the literature review and case studies as a base for design before being tested using digitally fabricated prototypes. These prototypes are evaluated against a framework created in line with the aforementioned criteria. Within this framework, the connections are analysed against existing connection systems as well as previous designs to establish a successful system. The connections are then evaluated within the context of a building scale and considers large-scale fabrication and on- site assembly whilst continuing to focus on the reduction of waste. This research found that the simplicity of the connections is key to a successful system as this allows for faster and cheaper fabrication and installation. However, there is still further research needed surrounding large-scale fabrication and the structural capacity of timber connection systems.</p>

scholarly journals Towards digital automation flexibility in large-scale timber construction: integrative robotic prefabrication and co-design of the BUGA Wood Pavilion

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 187-204
Author(s):  
Hans Jakob Wagner ◽  
Martin Alvarez ◽  
Abel Groenewolt ◽  
Achim Menges
Keyword(s):  
Code Generation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Computational Design ◽  
Digital Fabrication ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Robotic Fabrication ◽  
Timber Construction ◽  
Large Scale Production ◽  
High Level

AbstractThis paper discusses the digital automation workflows and co-design methods that made possible the comprehensive robotic prefabrication of the BUGA Wood Pavilion—a large-scale production case study of robotic timber construction. Latest research in architectural robotics often focuses on the advancement of singular aspects of integrated digital fabrication and computational design techniques. Few researchers discuss how a multitude of different robotic processes can come together into seamless, collaborative robotic fabrication workflows and how a high level of interaction within larger teams of computational design and robotic fabrication experts can be achieved. It will be increasingly important to discuss suitable methods for the management of robotics and computational design in construction for the successful implementation of robotic fabrication systems in the context of the industry. We present here how a co-design approach enabled the organization of computational design decisions in reciprocal feedback with the fabrication planning, simulation and robotic code generation. We demonstrate how this approach can implement direct and curated reciprocal feedback between all planning domains—paving the way for fast-paced integrative project development. Furthermore, we discuss how the modularization of computational routines simplify the management and computational control of complex robotic construction efforts on a per-project basis and open the door for the flexible reutilization of developed digital technologies across projects and building systems.

scholarly journals Architecture as Ornament

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Turner
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Computational Design ◽  
Digital Fabrication ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Parametric Modelling ◽  
Visual Scripting ◽  
Contemporary Architecture

<p><b>We are currently in the middle of the 4th industrial revolution, where digital technology and fabrication tools have the potential to drastically change the way we think about architecture. Contemporary architectural design is now being driven by an influx of digital tools, including parametric modelling, digital fabrication, and robotics. These tools allow designers to create forms with complexity, creating new textures, patterns and styles, they are however being under-utilised. Because the focus of these methods remains on mass-production and efficiency, as they were from the second industrial revolution, architecture has now become sleek and un-ornamental. When ornamentation is used it is now generally limited to façade design, and the focus is towards ideas such as tessellation and repetition. These styles can sometimes be successful, however they lack the sense of depth and craft that classical ornamentation once had. A variety of social, cultural, technological and historical influences means that contemporary ornamentation no longer holds the significance and importance it once had. This research questions this reality and explores the use of contemporary computational design and fabrication techniques to understand how ornamentation can be revitalised and reimagined in contemporary architecture. </b></p> <p>By building upon literature and case study analysis, this research uses the architectural column as a design mechanism, and parametric modelling to redefine the place that ornamentation has in contemporary architecture. By using a process of visual scripting and digital modelling, these techniques are used to explore how digital tools and the influence of history can reimagine ornamentation. This research process begins with small-scale digital tests which then translate into small-scale prototypes through the use of additive manufacturing. After an evaluation and critical-reflection of these prototypes, these ideas are translated into clay prototypes by using robotic fabrication. To further refine and finalise the designs the research is then applied to an architectural design context, and a final large-scale column is robotically fabricated. This final stage works to clearly show the design intent, to understand not only how traditional ideas and nature can be translated into contemporary designs, but also how the process of parametric design can create design variation, rather than identically replicated components. This research found that there is an immense amount of potential for using these visual scripting tools and methods of digital fabrication for revitalising ornament, creating mass-customisable architecture, not mass-replications.</p>

scholarly journals Architecture as Ornament

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Turner
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Computational Design ◽  
Digital Fabrication ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Parametric Modelling ◽  
Visual Scripting ◽  
Contemporary Architecture

<p><b>We are currently in the middle of the 4th industrial revolution, where digital technology and fabrication tools have the potential to drastically change the way we think about architecture. Contemporary architectural design is now being driven by an influx of digital tools, including parametric modelling, digital fabrication, and robotics. These tools allow designers to create forms with complexity, creating new textures, patterns and styles, they are however being under-utilised. Because the focus of these methods remains on mass-production and efficiency, as they were from the second industrial revolution, architecture has now become sleek and un-ornamental. When ornamentation is used it is now generally limited to façade design, and the focus is towards ideas such as tessellation and repetition. These styles can sometimes be successful, however they lack the sense of depth and craft that classical ornamentation once had. A variety of social, cultural, technological and historical influences means that contemporary ornamentation no longer holds the significance and importance it once had. This research questions this reality and explores the use of contemporary computational design and fabrication techniques to understand how ornamentation can be revitalised and reimagined in contemporary architecture. </b></p> <p>By building upon literature and case study analysis, this research uses the architectural column as a design mechanism, and parametric modelling to redefine the place that ornamentation has in contemporary architecture. By using a process of visual scripting and digital modelling, these techniques are used to explore how digital tools and the influence of history can reimagine ornamentation. This research process begins with small-scale digital tests which then translate into small-scale prototypes through the use of additive manufacturing. After an evaluation and critical-reflection of these prototypes, these ideas are translated into clay prototypes by using robotic fabrication. To further refine and finalise the designs the research is then applied to an architectural design context, and a final large-scale column is robotically fabricated. This final stage works to clearly show the design intent, to understand not only how traditional ideas and nature can be translated into contemporary designs, but also how the process of parametric design can create design variation, rather than identically replicated components. This research found that there is an immense amount of potential for using these visual scripting tools and methods of digital fabrication for revitalising ornament, creating mass-customisable architecture, not mass-replications.</p>

scholarly journals Digital matter as interdisciplinary commodity

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Uwe Rieger
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Digital Fabrication ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Design Environment ◽  
Digital World ◽  
Starting Point

<p>With the current exponential growth in the sector of Spatial Data Technology and Mixed Reality display devises we experience an increasing overlap of the physical and digital world. Next to making data spatially visible the attempt is to connect digital information with physical properties. Over the past years a number of research institutions have been laying the ground for these developments. In contemporary architecture architectural design the dominant application of data technology is connected to graphical presentation, form finding and digital fabrication.<br />The <em>arc/sec Lab for Digital Spatial Operations </em>at the University of Auckland takes a further step. The Lab explores concepts for a new condition of buildings and urban patterns in which digital information is connected with spatial appearance and linked to material properties. The approach focuses on the step beyond digital re-presentation and digital fabrication, where data is re-connected to the multi-sensory human perceptions and physical skills. The work at the Lab is conducted in a cross disciplinary design environment and based on experiential investigations. The arc/sec Lab utilizes large-scale interactive installations as the driving vehicle for the exploration and communication of new dimensions in architectural space. The experiments are aiming to make data “touchable” and to demonstrate real time responsive environments. In parallel they are the starting point for both the development of practice oriented applications and speculation on how our cities and buildings might change in the future.<br />The article gives an overview of the current experiments being undertaken at the arc/sec Lab. It discusses how digital technologies allow for innovation between the disciplines by introducing real time adaptive behaviours to our build environment and it speculates on the type of spaces we can construct when <em>digital matter </em>is used as a new dynamic building material.</p>

scholarly journals Adaptive Strategies for Mud Shell Robotic Fabrication

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Chaltiel Stephanie ◽  
Bravo Maite ◽  
Ibrahim Abdullah
Keyword(s):  
Spray Deposition ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Adaptive Strategies ◽  
Computational Design ◽  
Digital Fabrication ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
Robotic Fabrication ◽  
Material Deposition ◽  
Physical Tests ◽  
Full Scale Tests

The digital fabrication of monolithic shell structures is presenting some challenges related to the interface between computational design, materialist, and fabrication techniques. This research proposes a singular method for the sequential robotic spray deposition in layers of diverse clay mixes over a temporary fabric form-work pulled in between peripheral and cross section arches. This process relies mainly on the continuity of the construction phases for stability and durability but has encountered some challenges in physical tests related to sagging, displacement, and deformations during the robotic deposition of the material. Adaptive strategies during the digital fabrication stages are proposed for a sequential exploration of the geometry, structural analysis, and construction techniques. Alternative adjustments of protocols for the robotic material deposition include both predictable and unsuspected behaviors preventing the structure to reach non-viable geometric thresholds. Two case studies of physical tests describe, analyze, and simulate some of these strategies and identify specific parameters inquiring the sequential adjustments of the robotic material deposition. These strategies will drive future full-scale tests within a sustainable use of materials and adaptive construction methods, seeking an optimized structural performance that could open a new chapter for the digital fabrication of earthen shells.

The question of access: Toward an equitable future of computational design

2021 ◽  
pp. 147807712110253
Author(s):  
Vernelle AA Noel ◽  
Yana Boeva ◽  
Hayri Dortdivanlioglu
Keyword(s):  
Computational Design ◽  
Digital Fabrication ◽  
Design Studies ◽  
Disciplinary Boundaries ◽  
Design Pedagogy ◽  
Ethnographic Studies ◽  
Perceptual Interaction

Digital fabrication and its cultivated spaces promise to break disciplinary boundaries and enable access to its technologies and computation for the broader public. This paper examines the trope of “access” in digital fabrication, design, and craft, and illustrates how it unfolds in these spaces and practices. An equitable future is one that builds on and creates space for multiple bodies, knowledges, and skills; allows perceptual interaction and corporeal engagement with people, materials, and tools; and employs technologies accessible to broad groups of society. By conducting comparative and transnational ethnographic studies at digital fabrication and crafting sites, and performing craft-centered computational design studies, we offer a critical description of what access looks like in an equitable future that includes digital fabrication. The study highlights the need to examine universal conceptions and study how they are operationalized in broader narratives and design pedagogy traditions.

scholarly journals Understanding the genetic determinants of the brain with MOSTest

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis van der Meer ◽  
Oleksandr Frei ◽  
Tobias Kaufmann ◽  
Alexey A. Shadrin ◽  
Anna Devor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Computational Design ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Brain Morphology ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Small Individual ◽  
Significance Threshold ◽  
Regional Brain ◽  
Genome Wide

Abstract Regional brain morphology has a complex genetic architecture, consisting of many common polymorphisms with small individual effects. This has proven challenging for genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Due to the distributed nature of genetic signal across brain regions, multivariate analysis of regional measures may enhance discovery of genetic variants. Current multivariate approaches to GWAS are ill-suited for complex, large-scale data of this kind. Here, we introduce the Multivariate Omnibus Statistical Test (MOSTest), with an efficient computational design enabling rapid and reliable inference, and apply it to 171 regional brain morphology measures from 26,502 UK Biobank participants. At the conventional genome-wide significance threshold of α = 5 × 10−8, MOSTest identifies 347 genomic loci associated with regional brain morphology, more than any previous study, improving upon the discovery of established GWAS approaches more than threefold. Our findings implicate more than 5% of all protein-coding genes and provide evidence for gene sets involved in neuron development and differentiation.

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