••• relaxation form finding 2

Second version of the form finding tool in processing. There are a few improvements to version one of the sketch:

• triangulated point grid for more stability


• points can move in x and z-direction now (only as long, as the structure is still buildable)


• a better exporter, to wind up the bended girders. The sketch saves a pdf file for prototyping eg. on cnc laser cutting machines

Like in the first version of the sketch, the girder depth is calculated by the stress values of each point in the grid. While designing the form with the tool, you can see these values displayed in the stress map (take a look at the video above for a little demonstration).



height map (right), stress map (left)



Screenshots



click for larger images

••• relaxation form finding

Form finding by dynamic relaxation in processing. This sketch is using the particle system to simulate a simple suspension model and embed it into an interactive tool.



With the interface of the tool, the designer has the opportunity to control the form finding process. It is splitted in a 3d view and a section for control panels:

• The height map visualizes the height of the roof, calculated in the physical model (y-values). The base points (blue) can be shifted and varied in number, while the model is adapted in real time. The center of gravity of the construction is represented by a green dot. The optimal center of gravity, calculated by the supports can be compared visually.


• The stress map shows the calculated tension that occurs in the physical model of the gridshell. The girder depth is calculated by the tension of the surface at each point.

The structure can be modified by the smoothing algorithm:

• a gaussian blur filter on the y-coordinates of the points.


• the height correction, that brings the base points back to y=0 and stretches the structure to the original height by manipulating the initial shape (take a look to the video above for a demonstration).

screenshot of the processing sketch

••• animation

a little animation of the structure. the geometry was exported to rhino via excel sheet. More information will come soon.

••• solids

••• surfaces

••• compression, collision, bending

The particle system expanded by simulation of compression, collision and bending.







Simulation of compression (left) and bending (right). click for larger image

••• processing particles

Particle system (mass-and-force simulation) in Processing.







The script automatically generates connections between the cables by analyzing tension loads and the distances between the cables. You can realistically simulate material behaviors by alignment of various material properties, discovered e.g. by load tests.





Evolutionary algorithm for alignment of the material properties. Result of the first (left), second (middle) and third generation (right). click for larger image