This research presents a novel method of robotic fabrication for customizable fiber-reinforced po... more This research presents a novel method of robotic fabrication for customizable fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tubular formworks, which also function as reinforcements for large-scale structural components. This process is achieved by the spatial weaving of FRP fabric driven by a robotic arm, and calibrated with the fast-cure resin which is applied on the fabric and cures during the weaving process so the fabricated structure is self-supporting and the structure is formed in an additive manner. With this method, structural members with changing sections can be customized and fabricated rapidly with off-the-shelf materials, following a system of structural reinforcement that has been widely adopted in the construction industry and promotes new applications of construction robotics.
Taihu stone is the most famous one among the top four stones in China. It is formed by the water'... more Taihu stone is the most famous one among the top four stones in China. It is formed by the water's erosion in Taihu Lake for hundreds or even thousands of years. It has become a common ornamental stone in classical Chinese gardens because of its porous and intricate forms. At the same time, it has become a cultural symbol through thousands of years of history in China; later, people researched its spatial aesthetics; there are also some studies on its structural properties. For example, it has been found that the opening of Taihu stone caves has a steady-state effect which people develop its value in the theory of Poros City, Porosity in Architecture and some cultural symbols based on the original ornamental value of Taihu stone. This paper introduces a hybrid generative design method that integrates the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Bi-directional Evolutionary Structural Optimization (BESO) techniques. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation enables architects and engineers to predict and optimise the performance of buildings and environment in the early stage of the design and topology optimisation techniques BESO has been widely used in structural design to evolve a structure from the full design domain towards an optimum by gradually removing inefficient material and adding materials simultaneously. This research aims to design the artificial Taihu stone based on the environmental data-driven performance feedback using the topological optimisation method. As traditional and historical ornament craftwork in China, the new artificial Taihu stone stimulates thinking about the new value and unique significance of the cultural symbol of Taihu stone in modern society. It proposes possibilities and reflections on exploring the related fields of Porosity in Architecture and Poros City from the perspective of structure.
This research posits an innovative process of embedding carbon fibre as the primary structure wit... more This research posits an innovative process of embedding carbon fibre as the primary structure within large-scale polymer 3D printed intricate architectural forms. The design and technical implications of this research are explored and demonstrated through two proto-architectural projects, Cloud Affects and Unclear Cloud, developed by the RMIT Architecture Snooks Research Lab. These projects are designed through a tectonic approach that we describe as a super composite – an approach that creates a compression of tectonics through algorithmic self-organisation and advanced manufacturing. Framed within a critical view of the lineage of polymer 3D printing and high tech fibres in the field of architectural design, the research outlines the limitations of existing robotic processes employed in contemporary carbon fibre fabrication. In response, the paper proposes an approach we describe as Infused Fibre Reinforced Plastic (IFRP) as a novel fabrication method for intricate geometries. Thi...
Background:: As an advanced design technique, topology optimization has received much attention o... more Background:: As an advanced design technique, topology optimization has received much attention over the past three decades. Topology optimization aims at finding an optimal material distribution in order to maximize the structural performance while satisfying certain constraints. It is a useful tool for the conceptional design. At the same time, additive manufacturing technologies have provided unprecedented opportunities to fabricate intricate shapes generated by topology optimization. Objective:: To design a highly efficient structure using topology optimization and to fabricate it using additive manufacturing. Method:: The bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) technique provides the conceptional design, and the topology-optimized result is post-processed to obtain smooth structural boundaries. Results:: We have achieved a highly efficient and elegant structural design which won the first prize in a national competition in China on design optimization and add...
This research presents a novel method of robotic fabrication for customizable fiber-reinforced po... more This research presents a novel method of robotic fabrication for customizable fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tubular formworks, which also function as reinforcements for large-scale structural components. This process is achieved by the spatial weaving of FRP fabric driven by a robotic arm, and calibrated with the fast-cure resin which is applied on the fabric and cures during the weaving process so the fabricated structure is self-supporting and the structure is formed in an additive manner. With this method, structural members with changing sections can be customized and fabricated rapidly with off-the-shelf materials, following a system of structural reinforcement that has been widely adopted in the construction industry and promotes new applications of construction robotics.
Taihu stone is the most famous one among the top four stones in China. It is formed by the water'... more Taihu stone is the most famous one among the top four stones in China. It is formed by the water's erosion in Taihu Lake for hundreds or even thousands of years. It has become a common ornamental stone in classical Chinese gardens because of its porous and intricate forms. At the same time, it has become a cultural symbol through thousands of years of history in China; later, people researched its spatial aesthetics; there are also some studies on its structural properties. For example, it has been found that the opening of Taihu stone caves has a steady-state effect which people develop its value in the theory of Poros City, Porosity in Architecture and some cultural symbols based on the original ornamental value of Taihu stone. This paper introduces a hybrid generative design method that integrates the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Bi-directional Evolutionary Structural Optimization (BESO) techniques. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation enables architects and engineers to predict and optimise the performance of buildings and environment in the early stage of the design and topology optimisation techniques BESO has been widely used in structural design to evolve a structure from the full design domain towards an optimum by gradually removing inefficient material and adding materials simultaneously. This research aims to design the artificial Taihu stone based on the environmental data-driven performance feedback using the topological optimisation method. As traditional and historical ornament craftwork in China, the new artificial Taihu stone stimulates thinking about the new value and unique significance of the cultural symbol of Taihu stone in modern society. It proposes possibilities and reflections on exploring the related fields of Porosity in Architecture and Poros City from the perspective of structure.
This research posits an innovative process of embedding carbon fibre as the primary structure wit... more This research posits an innovative process of embedding carbon fibre as the primary structure within large-scale polymer 3D printed intricate architectural forms. The design and technical implications of this research are explored and demonstrated through two proto-architectural projects, Cloud Affects and Unclear Cloud, developed by the RMIT Architecture Snooks Research Lab. These projects are designed through a tectonic approach that we describe as a super composite – an approach that creates a compression of tectonics through algorithmic self-organisation and advanced manufacturing. Framed within a critical view of the lineage of polymer 3D printing and high tech fibres in the field of architectural design, the research outlines the limitations of existing robotic processes employed in contemporary carbon fibre fabrication. In response, the paper proposes an approach we describe as Infused Fibre Reinforced Plastic (IFRP) as a novel fabrication method for intricate geometries. Thi...
Background:: As an advanced design technique, topology optimization has received much attention o... more Background:: As an advanced design technique, topology optimization has received much attention over the past three decades. Topology optimization aims at finding an optimal material distribution in order to maximize the structural performance while satisfying certain constraints. It is a useful tool for the conceptional design. At the same time, additive manufacturing technologies have provided unprecedented opportunities to fabricate intricate shapes generated by topology optimization. Objective:: To design a highly efficient structure using topology optimization and to fabricate it using additive manufacturing. Method:: The bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) technique provides the conceptional design, and the topology-optimized result is post-processed to obtain smooth structural boundaries. Results:: We have achieved a highly efficient and elegant structural design which won the first prize in a national competition in China on design optimization and add...
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