Computer Assisted Design and Scale Modeling of Complex Curvature: Is This A Funicular Structure For Ants?

Funicular structures, those using catenary curves, are especially strong in compression. This allows even a thin shelled surface to have self supporting strength proving vital for structural applications and the development of low material thin shelled structures. Form finding techniques such as hanging chains or sheets of fabric have a history of use in designing funicular arches that are especially strong under compressive loads. Computer assisted design tools offer methods of design of increasingly complex curvature that allow for form finding without the need for physical objects. This project explores a parametric definition within the program Rhinoceros that simulates a form finding process that creates complex curvature. Thin shelled surfaces designed using this program were 3D printed and used as formwork for thin shelled surfaces built out of scaled down bricks. Surfaces were built using three different shapes of bricks and the resulting scaled structures were compared and destructively tested in compression.