1

Philippe Block ∙ Joseph Schwartz

Course leaders:

Dr. Tomás Méndez Echenagucia

Dr. Matthias Rippmann

Structural Design VI

2

Fabrication-aware Structural DesignIntroduction

Computational

Methods in Structural

Design

Parametric Design Parametric Graphic

Statics

Digital Fabrication

Of Structures

Form Finding Construction and

Panelisation of

Shells and Tensile

Structures

Optimisation Design to Production Computational

Methods in the

Architectural Practice

Advanced topics

Structural Design VI: Computational Methods

3

Fabrication-aware Structural DesignIntroduction

Computational

Methods in Structural

Design

Parametric Design Parametric Graphic

Statics

Digital Fabrication

Of Structures

Form Finding Construction and

Panelisation of

Shells and Tensile

Structures

Optimisation Design to Production Computational

Methods in the

Architectural Practice

Advanced topics

Structural Design VI: Computational Methods

4RhinoVAULT – From Finding using Thrust Network Analysis (TNA)

Learning goals for today

• Understand basic principles of Thrust Network Analysis (used in form finding)

• Learn how to use RhinoVAULT

• Design compression-only and tension-only structures using RhinoVAULT

Tutorial

• 05_01_rv_tutorial.3dm

Exercise

• 05_02_rv_exercise.3dm

5What is RhinoVAULT

Digital tool implementation of TNA

- TNA form-finding tool developed as a plugin for Rhino 3D

- Freely available as full version (1.0) since September 2013

- Downloaded by more than 15.000 people (unique downloads before Feb 2016)

- Awarded 1st prize in the category 'Structure / Physics Formation at ALGODeQ 2014

6What is RhinoVAULT

Digital tool implementation of TNA

7What is RhinoVAULT

Digital tool implementation of TNA

8What is RhinoVAULT

Digital tool implementation of TNA

- Online survey – announced on various blogs and via email newsletter

- 62 completed survey questionnaires were collected

9RhinoVAULT workflow

Design workflow

10RhinoVAULT workflow

Design workflow and toolbar

11RhinoVAULT workflow

Digital tool implementation

12RhinoVAULT installation

Installation instructions

RhinoVAULT unzip the package, save the RhinoVAULT folder (at least the files RhinoVAULT_Interface.rhp and

RhinoVAULT_Solver.rhp and the toolbar RhinoVAULT.rui) to your hard disk.

E.g.: C:\Program Files (x86)\Rhinoceros 5.0\Plug-ins\RhinoVAULT\

Individually drag and drop the plug-in files RhinoVAULT_Interface.rhp, RhinoVAULT_Solver.rhp and the toolbar

file RhinoVAULT.rui from the folder you just created to a new session of Rhino.

The command _rvFormTri will demand at least IronPython 2.7.3. (or 2.7.4, or 2.7.5) installed on your system

Please install it (http://ironpython.net/download/) and add the path (for me this is C:\Program Files

(x86)\IronPython 2.7) to your Module Search Paths and move it to the top of the list.

-> open IronPython Editor (_EditPythonScript) -> Tools -> Options -> restart Rhino

13RhinoVAULT installation

Installation instructions

14RhinoVAULT – From Finding using Thrust Network Analysis (TNA)

Tutorial

• 05_01_rv_tutorial.3dm

15RhinoVAULT – Exercise

Exercise

• 05_02_rv_exercise.3dm

16RhinoVAULT – From Finding using Thrust Network Analysis (TNA)

Exercise

• 05_02_rv_exercise.3dm

The steps in front of the HIL building is a favorite spot for students and staff to take a break

during summer. A shading structure is needed to provide shelter during the hot summer days.

Design a shading canopy for the area in front of HIL using RhinoVAULT.

- You can design a compression-only or tension-only structure(s) (combinations are possible)

- The canopy should at least cover an area of 200 m2

- You can use the existing structure to support your canopy

- You can add supporting elements (e.g.: pylons, walls etc.)

Keep an eye on the forces (force distribution) and general structural feasibility of your design.

Submission:

Submit your Rhino file with the RhinoVAULT solution (original layers). Use separate layers for any

additional geometry or comments (text) if needed.