Automated Planning and Design of Formwork for Freeform Shell Structures

Complex freeform structures are one of the most striking trends in contemporary architecture. This direction has been pioneered by architects such as F. Gehry, S. Calatrava, Zaha Hadid and others (Fig.1). One of the most effective concrete structural emblements used to execute freeform structures, are shell structures. The shells are most commonly flat plates and domes, but may also take the form of ellipsoids or cylindrical sections, or some combination thereof. Its efficiency is based on its curvature (single or double), which allows a multiplicity of alternative stress paths and gives the optimum form for transmission of many different load types. Formwork used to execute shell structures represents a major consideration of costs, and involves a significant proportion of the total cost.