Geometric Definition of Transformable Surfaces with Homogeneous ABC Reciprocal Meshes
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 30, Issue 2
Abstract
Reciprocal frame structures are nonhierarchical stable systems formed by elements that are simply connected to each other by tangency with no interpenetration. They are systems composed of elementary spatial self-supporting interlocking units or reciprocal nodes of mutually supporting beams placed in closed structural circuits. Those nodes can be designed as transformable by allowing the modification of the position of the tangency or supporting points. This article addresses the characterization and geometric definition of surfaces of variable geometry (bidimensional objects in three-dimensional space that can transform its geometrical form) by means of meshes, with cylindrical equal beams, arranged by the repetition of a pattern consisting of three transformable nodes of , , and elements around a triangular one (transformable homogeneous ABC reciprocal meshes). The objective of this analytical study is to define the topological and geometrical characteristics of these types of meshes. In addition, the study aims to parameterize them, taking into account their transformability, so they can be applied to the design of surfaces of variable geometry by using a newly created geometric software. To do so, we use analytical and optimization methods to develop a new form-finding approach of transformable reciprocal frame structures with elements of given fixed dimensions and a parameterization of a given mesh based on the moving capability of each of the elements of the system considering them as part of a whole transformable entity and making it possible to transform the geometry of the mesh by modifying the numerical value of the parameters.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 30 • Issue 2 • June 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 7, 2022
Accepted: Jan 4, 2024
Published online: Mar 19, 2024
Published in print: Jun 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Aug 19, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Beams
- Design (by type)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Frames
- Geometrics
- Highway and road design
- Homogeneity
- Information management
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Mathematics
- Parameters (statistics)
- Statistics
- Structural engineering
- Structural members
- Structural systems
- Terminology and definition
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