Thesis Defence: Mengdie Zhang

Of the thesis entitled: Space Pyramidicone: Structural Simulation and Optimization of A Lightweight Space Structure

Abstract:

This thesis investigates how to use regular pyramidal and conic expanded module stretched from laser cut sheet metal as the basic unit to assemble a space frame structure. This thesis focuses on utilizing computational tool to aid the design process and evaluating structural capacity of this lightweight space frame - Space Pyramidicone. By precisely simulating the formation process of stretching laser cut sheet metal from two-dimensional sheet to three-dimensional shape and simulating its structural behavior by proper computational tool, the structural capacity of the design module and design structure are being analyzed. And because of the results generated after simulation process, it allows architects to go back to adjust input parameter settings to control the generative forms of the design module - the pyramidicone unit. Through this procedure, structural optimization of the design unit and the design structure are accomplished.

To build structure by unit stretched from sheet metal is inspired from the work of Living Architecture Systems Group who uses economical manipulation on forming laser cut sheet metal to build multiple enclosing spaces. In order to achieve this conceive, proper structural form is developed by consulting current typical space structure and related precedents in order to make the structure be close to mainstream structural form and be acceptable by the public.

In this thesis, the work of evaluating whether pyramidicone unit and the structure of Space Pyramidicone can sustain enough weight and perform well under different load cases requires algorithms for simulating how the material behaves under stretching and what the final shape it forms. Proper computational tools are introduced to simulate their structural capacity and architects can decide which parameter settings perform relatively well by comparing results. By this structural optimization process, how pyramidicone unit and the structure of Space Pyramidicone perform can be understood.

In terms of the future prospect of Space Pyramidicone, it requires further researches mainly on exploring the diversity of structural form and possible applications it can be, a workable process of fabricating and installing Space Pyramidicone, the script for simulating forming process of stretching sheet metal and the limitations of pyramidicone unit. Through these continuous investigations, it is possible to provide an alternative way to fabricate and construct a structure different from typical space structure and it has potential for this new space structure to get a market share in the future.

The examining committee is as follows: