DOI: 10.5937/jaes14-10448
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Volume 14 article 370 pages: 179-184
Compression-only
structures can be modelled as pin-jointed networks with all the members in compression.
The final shape of the network can be computed using the Force Density Method
(FDM) together with Topological Mapping (TM), introducing the self-weight
iteratively until the equilibrium is found. One of the input parameters of FDM
is the force-length ratio q of each member of the network. Members with a high
q carry a higher level of loads, working as ribs of the structure. The designer
defines the proper distribution of the ribs in the network, resulting in aesthetical
final shapes. Here, a two-storey compression structure with inner ribs has been
designed using TM-FDM.
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